Close to 200 lawmakers have written to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking questions about the pending $60 billion sale of F-15 jet fighters and other weapons to Saudi Arabia. They want to know the “rationale for a sale of such magnitude” and what might happen to the arms “in the event of political change in Saudi Arabia.”
While Israel has quietly complained about the package, it hasn’t objected because of promises made that Washington will ensure Israel keeps its “QMI” — qualitative military edge, in diplo-speak — no matter what we sell to the kingdom. Arming both sides helps clarify what a big chunk of the Saudi deal is about, even if the letter is mute on the point: U.S. jobs.