[WhiteGuy]

Bush Administration Is Wrong To Seek $20 Billion Arms Sale To Jihad-Supporting Saudis.

This is self evident.

But exactly how does an “arms deal” actually work?

Who is selling the weapons?
Who is paying for the weapons?
Are the weapons paid for with US tax dollars?

[squidly]

Sometimes (the small minority of the time) we give away weapons, but in this case, the Saudis will be paying for them.

[SJackson]

$20 billion, some sources say $23 billion, to the Saudis and Gulf states, paid for by them.

To allay concerns in Israel, a $6 to $8 billion increase in aid, paid for by American taxpayers.

To prevent hurt feelings, and additional $13 billion to Egypt paid for by US taxpayers.

Total $40 to $45 billion, just under half paid by taxpayers.

As I occasionally note, our commitment to Israel is to maintain their military superiority over the Arabs. If we don't sell the Arabs (part cash, part aid) weapons at 4 times the rate we sell Israel, then we don't have to subsidize Israeli purchases with foreign aid.

[camas]

they are paying for them with petrol dollars.