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U. S. surges $11 Billion in arms sales to Iraq
During the last week of July, the Department of Defense notified Congress about the proposed sale of $10.9 billion in U.S. military equipment and support to Iraq through the Foreign Military Sales program. Besides the eye-catching price tag - which, at $10.9 billion, is greater than the value of all other U.S. arms sales to Iraq since 2005 combined - the equipment included in the proposed agreement represents a potential watershed in the development of Iraq's military capabilities. The sale not only carries implications for the balance of power in the region, but also raises important questions about oversight, accountability, and transparency in a country riddled with internal violence.