More than 20 lawmakers on Monday urged President Trump to approve sales of armed drones to Jordan and the United Arab Emirates both to help in the ISIS fight and counter Chinese influence. The purchase of the MQ-9 Reapers would preserve thousands of US jobs, along with increasing the ability of the allied nations to assist in counter terror operations in the Middle East, according to the letter, which was signed by 20 Republican and two Democratic lawmakers.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
