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White House Proposes $43B in Mideast Military Aid

Rice pitches strategy to help contain Iran

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Jul 30, 2007 3:48 PM CDT

(Newser) – More than $43 billion in US military aid is earmarked for the Middle East, Reuters reports, part of a strategy to fight terrorism and counterbalance Iran. The outlays, which require congressional approval, include $13 billion to Egypt, $30 billion to Israel, and an unspecified amount to Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf states, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced today.

The proposal of the package came before Rice and defense secretary Robert Gates left for the region, where they'll seek greater Arab help in Iraq. "This effort will help bolster forces of moderation and support a broader strategy to counter the negative influences of al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran," Rice said in a statement.

Military soldiers arrive in Armour Personnel Carrier (APC) in the streets of Saudi Arabia. This effort will help bolster forces of moderation and support a broader strategy to counter the negative influences of al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran, said Rice in a statement regarding the plan.
Military soldiers arrive in Armour Personnel Carrier (APC) in the streets of Saudi Arabia. "This effort will help bolster forces of moderation and support a broader strategy to counter the negative influences...   (Getty Images)
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, gestures while speaking during a media conference after a meeting of the Mideast Quartet at the Palace of Culture in Lisbon, Thursday July 19, 2007. Seated right is EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana. Rice announced Monday, July 30, 2007 that the...
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, gestures while speaking during a media conference after a meeting of the Mideast Quartet at the Palace of Culture in Lisbon, Thursday July 19, 2007. Seated...   (Associated Press)
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak , right, meets with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh Tuesday, June 26 2007. (AP Photo / Mike Nelson, Pool) The aid packages announced by Rice are intended to strengthen the military presence of both nations in the...
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak , right, meets with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh Tuesday, June 26 2007. (AP Photo / Mike Nelson, Pool) The aid packages...   (Associated Press)
Iranian Shiite students protest in front of the Saudi Arabian embassy. Iran has criticized the arms plan as attempt to sow fear and division in the Middle East.
Iranian Shiite students protest in front of the Saudi Arabian embassy. Iran has criticized the arms plan as attempt to sow fear and division in the Middle East.   (Getty Images)
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World • US

 
Iraq • Iran • Israel • Middle East • Saudi Arabia • Syria • Robert Gates • Condoleezza Rice • Hezbollah • Egypt • arms race • military aid • al-Qaeda • Iraq war

 
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