A Foreign Policy Research Organization is Suing Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and the State Department, in an effort to Block the Sale of $23 Billion in Advanced Military Systems to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), arguing the U.S. Government did Not meet the Requirements of the Law.
The New York Center for Foreign Policy Affairs (NYCFPA), a Think Tank and Research Group with Headquarters in New York and an Office in Washington, D.C., filed its Lawsuit in Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, on Wednesday Dec. 30th.
The move follows a Failed attempt in Congress, this month, to Block the Sale. Opponents of the Deal fell Short of the Votes needed to Pass Two Resolutions that said the Trump Administration did Not go through the Proper Congressional Review Process and left Unanswered Questions about the Purpose and Security of the Transfer, which included F-35 Advanced Fighter Jets and MQ-9 Reaper Drones.
The Trump Administration pushed ahead with the Weapons Sale following the UAE's Agreement to Open Diplomatic Relations with Israel in September. The Multibillion Dollar Weapons Package drew Sharp Criticism from Democratic Lawmakers who said it would Contribute to a Dangerous Arms Race in the Region and was Not Given the Proper Congressional Oversight. The Lawsuit makes similar arguments.
It is likely the First Time a Nongovernmental Organization has Sued to Stop Foreign Military Sales, said Justin Russell, the NYCFPA's Principal Director. He said the Group felt that Litigation was the Last Option following the Failed Attempt on Capitol Hill to Block the Deal. "We thought, if no one else is going to try and do this, we're going to stand up and try," Russell said in an Interview. "This is a continuing operational move by the State Department to fast-track these arms sales," he added.
NYCFPA alleges that the State Department's Actions Violate the Administrative Procedure Act by Failing to Provide a Reasoned Explanation for its Decision to Sell the F-35's.
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