ABSTRACT

The gradual emergence of conscious US restraint in the flow of arms to the Middle East is in large measure coincident with the evolution of Congressional attitudes on this issue. At the center of Congressional concern over US arms transfers to Arab states within the region are perceptions of the likely security implications for the State of Israel in particular and, more generally, the overall effects on peaceful resolution of disputes between Israel and its neighboring states. The recent history of US arms sales to both Jordan and Saudi Arabia is illustrative of growing Congressional attitudes toward sales of military equipment. In Jordan's case, significant Congressional opposition to advanced weapons sales emerged in 1979. In that year, House Resolution 3173 required the President to determine and report to the Congress that Jordan was "acting in good faith to achieve further progress toward a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East."