US bypasses congressional review for military sales of $8.6 billion to Middle East allies

The administration of Donald Trump approved over $8.6 billion in military sales to Middle Eastern allies—Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE—by bypassing congressional review under an emergency declaration by Marco Rubio. The largest deals include $4.01 billion for Patriot missile defense support to Qatar, nearly $1 billion each in Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) for Qatar and Israel, $2.5 billion for Kuwait’s integrated battle command system, and a smaller APKWS sale to the UAE. Major defense contractors involved include BAE Systems, RTX Corporation, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. The decision comes amid heightened regional tensions following conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, and shortly after a fragile ceasefire. The emergency justification allowed the administration to fast-track the deals without the usual congressional oversight. However, the move has drawn ongoing criticism. U.S. arms sales to Gulf states have long faced scrutiny over human rights concerns, while support for Israel remains controversial due to the high civilian toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza following the 2023 conflict. Overall, the approvals reflect Washington’s effort to reinforce regional allies militarily during instability, while also intensifying debate over oversight and human rights implications.