Tag: Business of War

Banking War & Terrorism, WAR

Saudi Arabia world’s 3rd highest military spender but 41st in World Population

 

According to the report, military spending across the world has increased by 1.1 percent in 2017 compared to the previous year to reach $1739 trillion.

The United States continues to top the world’s list of military expenditure with $610 billion, followed by China, which increased its military expenditure by 5.6 percent over 2016, or $228 billion.

The report explained that Middle Eastern countries increased their military spending by 6.2 percent in 2017 where they spent 5.2 percent of their GDP on armaments; the highest in the world.

via Saudi Arabia world’s 3rd highest military spender but 41st in World Population

Arms Dealer

Western Powers Protect Arms Markets Ignoring Civilian Killings | Common Dreams | Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community

UNITED NATIONS – The West continues its strong political and military support to one of its longstanding allies in the Middle East – Saudi Arabia –- despite withering criticism of the kingdom’s battlefield excesses in the ongoing war in neighboring Yemen. A Saudi-led coalition has been accused of using banned cluster bombs, bombing civilian targets and destroying hospitals – either by accident or by design—using weapons provided primarily by the US, UK and France.

Source: Western Powers Protect Arms Markets Ignoring Civilian Killings | Common Dreams | Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community

Privatisation

UAE sending Colombian mercenaries to Yemen: sources – Your Middle East

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Colombians’ experience fighting leftist guerrillas and drug traffickers in their home country made them

Source: UAE sending Colombian mercenaries to Yemen: sources – Your Middle East

Economics

“We’re in the Business of Killing Terrorists and Business is Good” | Common Dreams | Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community

As the U.S. military continues its war against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL), the Air Force is reportedly dropping so many bombs that it is struggling to find more. “We’re in the business of killing terrorists and business is good,” Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said in statement quoted by USA Today on Thursday.

Source: “We’re in the Business of Killing Terrorists and Business is Good” | Common Dreams | Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community

USA

Has the Israel lobby really lost its mojo? | The Electronic Intifada

Despite tensions on Iran, Benjamin Netanyahu will collect a check for more military aid to Israel when he visits Washington in November.

Source: Has the Israel lobby really lost its mojo? | The Electronic Intifada

Middle East

Despite falling oil prices, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are set to continue with massive military spending.

GCC military spending spree