Week in Review: MENA - February, 28 2014

02/28/14
Amit Paz
U.S. Policy, Politics and Security, Foreign Policy, Foreign Policy

Week in Review: MENA – February 28, 2014

United States Policy:

  • On Thursday, February 20, President Obama renewed an executive order which states that the situation in Libya "continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."
  • Though the United States has pledged more than $25 billion in finalized and pending arms deals with Iraq since 2005, ex-U.S. officials and Iraqi commanders are saying that what the Iraqis need is more training and intelligence support, not heavy weapons.
  • According to leaked documents obtained by Reuters, Iraq has signed a deal to buy arms and ammunition from Iran worth $195 million. Such a move would be in violation of a United Nations embargo on Iranian weapons sales. Following pressure by the U.S., Iraqi officials later denied that a contract was ever signed with the Iranian company. Meanwhile, several arms manufacturers contracted by the Pentagon have made contact with Iran in order to explore the option of signing new deals in the country, a move which may come at the cost of Pentagon contracts. Many companies are still confused as to the legality of doing business with Iran, as lawyers are starting to advertise their advice to foreign companies interested in Iranian business.
  • Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was criticized for blocking a vote on Iran sanctions demanded by Senate Republicans, who claim the bill has the support of 59 senators.
  • On Saturday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution ordering both the Syrian authorities and the rebel groups to stop blocking the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria’s desperate besieged citizens. Lastly, Syria has transferred a significant amount of mustard gas in its sluggish comportment with its pledge to get rid of its chemical weapons arsenal.

Other top security stories:

  • Following a visit by Egyptian Minister of Defense Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to Moscow last week, a Russian air defense delegation arrived in Cairo to discuss bilateral ties and possibly continue negotiations on an arms deal. 
  • Israel took an active stance as the conflict in Syria rages closer to its borders.
  • Reports indicate that Israeli warplanes struck the border between Lebanon and Syria in an effort to stop a Hezbollah weapons convoy. An anonymous source from the Israeli Air Force (IAF) confirmed the reports, saying the convoy was carrying surface-to-surface missiles.
  • Israel replaced a longstanding Armor Division on its border with Syria with a more agile, combat-ready division in a shift that portends a readiness for conflict on the border.
  • An Israeli security source confirmed that Israeli’s Military Intelligence unit is expanding in order to meet the potential threat posed by militants in Syria.
  • German and Israeli officials are close to signing a Memorandum of Understanding confirming the sale of a German Dolphin submarine, along with a €135 million (USD $180 million) subsidy, to Israel. In addition, Germany agreed to loan the Israeli Air Force a German Patriot radar, cost-free, while Israel retrofits its own inventory of radars in the United States.
  • An annual report released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration estimated that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to double its spending on homeland security over the next ten years, from $5.5 billion to more than $10 billion. The report stressed a significant investment in cyber security, following the UAE’s creation of a National Electronic Security Authority in 2012.
  • Saudi Arabia is reportedly looking to acquire anti-tank and anti-aircraft weaponry from Pakistan, which it would then transfer to Syrian rebels fighting against government forces in Syria. The Pakistanis produce shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles, called Anza, based on a Chinese model. The Saudi source also said that Jordan has agreed to store the weapons before they will be transferred across the border into Syria.
  • Rival, government-affiliated militias fired over 100 rockets at each other and destroyed a power plant in southern Libya, increasing the likelihood of summer blackouts.
  • Turkey is increasingly anxious that it will suffer a NATO backlash if it goes through with the purchase of Chinese-made missile interceptors, which NATO defense officials say are incompatible with their air defense systems. This report comes amidst a busy week in the Turkish defense sector, with a major aircraft delivery, the signing of $4 billion worth of contracts, the arrival of an important foreign defense and aerospace delegation and a critical government decision on the future of the planned indigenous Turkish fighter jet.