Sent: Sept. 10, 2007
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Dear Senator Webb,
I am deeply concerned with our recent pledge to supply over $50 billion worth of weapons and artillery to 6 nations in a region already strife with intolerance, uncertainty, and factional abuse.
These arms deals probably happen more often than I, and the general public may know. Perhaps, the only reason this bid has found its way into the public eye is because of the offer's size, depth, implications and partners. However, I strongly believe this maneuver has "mistake" written all over it. And could rival the incompetent decision to "De-Baathisise" the Iraqi army, which we now know kick started that nations violence.
Common sense tells me, sir, this decision could have similar ramifications but on a much larger scale. These actions do not encourage regional security, and I fear it may provide further reason(s) for the Iranian regime to continue its nuclear energy program, thus leading to an escalation in a part of the world where there is already an increasing divide among the Shi'a and Sunni, not to mention the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Furthermore, Iran has an increasingly favorable social position around the Middle East in which many believe they are standing-up against the 'bullying' of the U.S. I understand there is the concept of 'strategic ambiguity,' where the threat of force has been used to back up diplomacy. But I believe this philosophy is an 'old school' approach and certainly misplaced in a region already feeling bombarded by "the West" and its "political agenda." If we are serious about promoting peace, then we must be serious about promoting a mutual understanding. Our first priority should be a non-discriminatory and engaging dialogue, addressing the ROOT ISSUES and their ROOT CAUSES.
Senator Webb, please do all you can to research, question and dispel the negative interests involved in this ill-advised, precarious, and counter-intuitive decision. Let us not feed the fire that we started in Iraq.
Sincerely,
Hasan Aloul
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