The U.S. is selling 30 billion worth of military aircraft to Saudi Arabia. The sale which will include such showstoppers as the F-15 fighter planes, Apache attack helicopters, Black Hawk choppers as well as the new Boeing F-15SA aircraft, includes modernization of 70 existing planes, a cache of ammunition, spare parts, training, and maintenance contracts. The deal is part of a larger 60 billion dollar package, set to unfold over a period of 20 – 30 years and will create an estimated 50,000 American jobs.

Why are we selling military planes to Saudi Arabia: To protect oil interests against Iran

Why is Iran a threat? Iran is led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad someone on record as wanting to ‘wipe Isreal off the map’.  Iran threatens the transportation of oil through the Strait of Hormuz

Map of Middle East

Barrels of oil consumed in the US annually: 6.99 billion barrels (19.15 million barrels per day) in 2010

Barrels of oil consumed in the US is produced by Saudi Arabia: 1072 barrels a day

Who is the US largest supplier of foreign oil: Canada, 1971 barrels a day

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

September 23, 2010 – In a speech at the U.N. says that the U.S. was behind the 9/11 attacks

November 29, 2009 – Iran announces that 10 more nuclear sites are to be built

June 12, 2009 – Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wins a much disputed election triggering protests across the country

June 20, 2009 – Protests in Tehran lead to thousands of arrests and at least 100 deaths

April 20, 2009 – Declares that Israel should be “wiped off the map” and denies the holocust

February 4, 2006 – Orders an end to inspection of Iran’s nuclear program

December 12, 2006 – says “Israel should be wiped out”

April 15, 2006 – Declares that Iran will continue to enrich urainium