"Arabs States Building Arsenal for War With Iran"

"... The Israelis ... are taking comfort from the fact that these purchases are primarily motivated by concerns over Iran, the Arabs' historic Persian rival and Israel's avowed enemy. For weapons-procurement specialists in Israel, the feeling may just be envy. As generous as America has proven toward Israel's military, the Israelis could never come close to ordering weapons with such a price tag.  But uneasiness still fills the air in some Israeli defense circles. After all, the Arab world is not exactly friendly toward Israel. And though the regimes currently going on an arms-buying spree might not consider attacking the Jewish state, they could lose power, leaving the advanced weaponry in the hands of unpredictable zealots. Speaking of Saudi Arabia's massive new fighter jet order, one anonymous Israeli defense source told an Israeli journalist, "Today these planes are against Iran. Tomorrow they might turn against us."....Washington is happy to oblige its eager, oil-rich Arab customers. After all, the transactions strengthen the links between the U.S. and its Gulf allies in preparation for a possible confrontation with Iran. The lengthy shopping list brings a financial bonanza for U.S. defense contractors and creates employment in job-starved America. For American military planners, the arms build-up acts as something of a stage preparation in case a war with Iran starts. Every piece of modern U.S.-made equipment already positioned across the Persian Gulf from Iran is potentially one less piece the Pentagon has to deploy if there is a war. For diplomats, the arsenals help pressure Iran, potentially helping their efforts to negotiate a settlement. Beyond that, they add diplomatic depth to the relationships between Washington and its arms customers. Most of the weapons -- including helicopters, fighter jets and missile defense systems -- will require training and maintenance with major U.S. participation. This helps reinforce long-term ties in the alliance between the U.S. and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf...."