US promises Israel much more military aid

The United States will reinforce the military capability of Israel and Saudi Arabia in a strategy intended to deter Iran.

Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, confirmed yesterday that US military aid would rise by 25 per cent over the next decade, from £12 billion to £15 billion a year.

Meanwhile, US military sources reported that Saudi Arabia was on the verge of signing a deal to buy approximately £12 billion of arms and support equipment. The Saudi kingdom has an internal jihadist problem, yet Washington still values the support it gives for the mission in Iraq and for other policies across the Middle East.

Normally, Israel opposes US military links with Arab nations but on this occasion Mr Olmert said that he appreciated the need for beefing up the military capability of moderate states such as Saudi Arabia. London Telegraph