#Qatar #MiddleEast #SaudiArabia #military #US #F15 #Boeing #politics
Qatar has made a $12 billion deal with the US to buy F-15 fighter jets mentioning that US and Qatars military are like brothers, and that America’s support for Qatar is deep-rooted. The deal came when Qatar is facing a severe economic and diplomatic crisis because of being boycotted by Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Gulf Arab states.
Qatar hosts a big US military base housing the headquarters of US air forces in the Middle East. The base has as many as 11,000 US personnels.
However a Qatari defence ministry said that the current deal was for 36 jets, considerably reduced from the initial 72 jets with a total value of $21.1 billion that was approved by President Obama in his term. Boeing, the prime contractor, declined to comment on this.
Turkey is currently supplying some of the food imports to Qatar while Kuwait is trying to mediate the dispute between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. There have been questions that if the current situation continues, will Qatar be able to host the 2022 world cup.
It’s surprising that the deal came in such a crucial time when Qatar is facing and economy crisis. Those funds could have been used to help it’s population. Then again, a nation needs to be well defended if it has been boycotted by the neighboring nations. However, I wish Kuwait is able to find a level platform for both countries to talk and make a deal.
LiveSid 