The State Department confirmed a pause in “some” pending arms transfers Wednesday, a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken
“The department is temporarily pausing the implementation of some pending U.S. defense transfers and sales under Foreign Military Sales and Direct Commercial Sales to allow incoming leadership an opportunity to review,” a State Department spokesperson said.
“This is a routine administrative action typical to most any transition, and demonstrates the administration’s commitment to transparency and good governance, as well as ensuring U.S. arms sales meet our strategic objectives of building stronger, interoperable, and more capable security partners,” the spokesperson added.
Thursday, 28 January 2021, 5:20 pm
The Biden administration has taken two small steps toward
ending the horrific
US-backed mass atrocities in Yemen, with temporary holds
placed on both a murderous sanctions measure and on arms
deals with Saudi Arabia and the UAE pending review. Both
items being reviewed are unconscionable decisions made by
the previous administration. The Biden administration
has imposed a temporary freeze on U.S. arms sales to Saudi
Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as it reviews billions
of dollars in weapons transactions approved by former
President Donald Trump,
The Wall Street Journalreported today, adding
that U.S. officials said it isn’t unusual for a new
POLITICO
Austin s ties to steel company add to concerns over industry influence
Critics say this is yet another knock on a nomination that has already faced opposition due to industry ties and the need to seek a waiver.
Retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, the Biden administration s choice to be secretary of defense, speaks during an event at The Queen theater. | Susan Walsh/AP Photo
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The nomination of retired Gen. Lloyd Austin to be the next defense secretary has raised concerns over his ties to the defense industry, most notably his membership on the board of Raytheon Technologies.
But less well-known is his membership on the board of Nucor, a steel company that s a subcontractor to at least two major defense contractors. The connection could further complicate his confirmation as lawmakers have made clear their wariness of installing Pentagon chiefs with defense industry ties.