### Democrats Seek to Halt Over $3 Billion in Weapons Sales to Qatar and UAE

In a move to curb substantial arms deals in the Middle East, Congressional Democrats are working to block over $3 billion in proposed weapons sales to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The contentious deals were announced during President Trump's recent visit to the region.

The proposed sales include a $1.9 billion agreement with Qatar and a $1.6 billion deal with the UAE. These packages encompass a range of military hardware such as Chinook helicopters, armed drones, hundreds of bombs, targeting kits, and components for F-16 aircraft. The State Department approved these deals and informed Congress just before President Trump embarked on his trip.

A significant point of controversy is the administration's decision to skip an informal review period for the UAE deal, which usually allows senior lawmakers on foreign affairs committees to scrutinize, raise concerns, or suggest modifications before a formal congressional notification.

Leading the opposition, Senator Christopher S. Murphy of Connecticut, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, introduced resolutions on Thursday to block both arms sales. His concerns were amplified by reports that Qatar had offered President Trump a $400 million luxury Boeing jet as a gift.

Senator Murphy stated, "Unless Qatar rescinds their offer of a 'palace in the sky' or Trump turns it down, I will move to block this arms sale." He further highlighted a $5.5 billion real estate and golf course development deal involving the Trump family and a firm linked to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, which is set to feature a Trump-branded beachside golf course and luxury villas in Qatar.

These developments underscore the growing tension and scrutiny surrounding the intersection of U.S. foreign policy and potential conflicts of interest involving the president and his business affiliations.