We stand on CON on the resolution, resolved “The United States should end its arms sales to Saudi Arabia.”

Zihan Gao Marie

[Contention 1]: Regional Security 

[Sub Point A] The Houthis

[Claim]: In Yemen, Houthi rebels are hurting civilians

[Warrant]: According to the National Interest report, the Houthi government is the direct cause of humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which are appealed in neglect of sanitation services, fail to maintain and repair sewer and water infrastructure, which contributed to the deepening of the cholera epidemic. Additionally, the Houthi have confiscated food, medicine, and critical life-saving medical equipment as well as using child soldiers. All of which further compounds Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and cause an increasement of 164% death rate after Houthis take the key port city Hodeidah in Yemen. In contrast, areas that the Saudi-led coalition have restored to Yemeni government control do not suffer the same disastrous conditions that civilians in Houthi-controlled regions are experiencing.( Alasrar, Fatima. “Yemen Is Bad but It Would Be Worse Without U.S. Involvement.” The National Interest, The Center for the National Interest, 26 July 2018, nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/yemen-bad-it-would-be-worse-without-us-involvement-26801.)

[Impact]: Since Houthi rebels has already done many wrong and inhumane things in Yemen region, it is clear that damages as well as the casualties will be worse if Saudi Arabia quits or be weaken in Yemen issue. Now Houthi rebel’s actions has already proved that they are trouble makers in this region, so there is no possible that the situation will be better after US ends the army sales and let SA loses its deterrence. At this point, US ends the military support to SA will definitely cause this situation becomes worse, which is something that people are not wish to happen. When there are more death and casualties in Yemen, the stability in Middle East will be corrupted. So, there is no reason for US ends the arm sales and enlarge the power of Houthi rebels.

[Sub Point B] Iran

[Claim]: An unchecked Iran threatens the Middle East

[Warrant]: According to Reutus report, Iran is one of the major supporters of the Houthis, who we’ve just explained destabilize Yemen. Beyond Yemen, Iran is also damaging the stability of Syria and Lebanon. For example, Iran established many military camps and missle weapon sites in Syria in order to control on the Syria’s situation as well as find some chances to attakc Israel, at the same time, Iran has played a major role in the war that led to an estimated 500,000 deaths, and which displaced half of all Syrians. (Bernstein, Dennis L. “The Saudi Hand in Lebanon’s Crisis.” Consortiumnews, 10 Nov. 2017, consortiumnews.com/2017/11/10/the-saudi-hand-in-lebanons-crisis/.) Also, Iran uses strategies to let Hezbollah, a terrorist group in Lebanon to cooperate with them, which caused more uncontroable situatons that happened in middle east region. (Lappin, Yaakov. “Israel Keeps a Wary Eye on Iranian Entrenchment as Syrian Border Crossing Reopens.” Algemeiner.com, 25 Oct. 2018, 7:35AM, www.algemeiner.com/2018/10/25/israel-keeps-a-wary-eye-on-iranian-entrenchment-as-syrian-border-crossing-reopens/.)

[Impact]: Iran supports terrorists who do bad things in middle east region and cause many serious deaths, like attacking Syria with terrorist groups and breaking the sovereignity in Syria. Also, Iran shows a favor toward these extremists like Hezbollah, which will definitely make the situation in middle east worse. Clearly, weakening Saudi Arabia, which prevents them from challenging Iranian influence across the Middle East, is the wrong move and would contribute to further violence in all 3 of these countries. Thus, continuing arms sales to Saudi Arabia is both strategic and moral for America because, overall, it has a stabilizing force across the Middle East.

[Contention 2]: Other country’s intervention will cause more unpredictability in Yemen and middle east region. (They can’t solve Yemeni violence.)

[Sub point A] Russia

[Claim]: Russia is worse for recovering problems.

[Warrant]: Russia cooperates with Iran: President Putin looked the other way, signing off on a new arms contract with Tehran, Iran’s capital, worth $1bn around 2012, and this relationship continues. In contrast, according to the Kommersant newspaper, agreement has already been reached on a $3bn (£2.2bn) deal to supply the Saudis with Russia’s most advanced air defense missile system. There may be other deals forthcoming on aircraft and helicopters which depend on the success of talks. SA has already planning to buy the Russian S-400 air-defense system, under a deal that would let them manufacture related products at home. (Carroll Moscow @olliecarroll, Oliver. “Russia and Saudi Arabia ‘Sign $3bn Arms Deal’ on King Salman Visit.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 5 Oct. 2017, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-king-salman-visit-saudi-arabia-moscow-vladimir-putin-a7985161.html.)

[Impact]: Russia have the willingness to send arms to both SA and Iran, which are two opposite powers Thus, Russia cannot be a trustworthy alternative compares to US since it will not limit how Saudi Arabia uses these advanced weapons when they get money, then Russia sells weapons will cause the war continue even more, which is really bad for recovering situation, even worse than USA because Russia does not care about the consequence. If US stop sending weapons to Saudi Arabia, then Russia will replace US and continue to support SA, which will not help SA to leave the situation and continue the problem even worse no matter what.

[Sub Point B] US’s leverage

[Claim]: US has a better control on the ongoing situation.

[Warrant]: The U.S. military plays a critical role in safeguarding Yemeni civilians by identifying non military and civilian facilities for the coalition so that these are not accidentally targeted by air strikes. This intelligence support has almost certainly reduced casualties number. This shows that US does cares about the situation and wants to make it better (Alasrar, Fatima. “Yemen Is Bad but It Would Be Worse Without U.S. Involvement.” The National Interest, The Center for the National Interest, 26 July 2018, nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/yemen-bad-it-would-be-worse-without-us-involvement-26801.); also, US has already claimed that it is necessary for them to limit somehow on the supplement of military weapons that they send to SA.

[Impact]: The United States has more experience in cooperation with Saudi Arabia and high power of authority in Saudi Arabia’s management, which none of other countries have. From this point of view, the United States is the best partner of Saudi Arabia. The presence of the United States can gradually reduce and control the frequency and intensity of wars in the Middle East, while the delivery of weapons can first help Saudi Arabia to equip themselves and build deterrence, so as to avoid excessive casualties of innocent people or damage to infrastructure. It could also curb the vigour and ambition of Iran’s various organisation, to avoid more bullying happened, otherwise more war will happened.

For these reasons, we urge for Con.