Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 26, 2021

US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman signing the deal [Mandel Ngan/AFP]

Reuters: Exclusive: Biden team looking to stop Saudi arms deals that help it attack others

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After pausing half a billion dollars in arms deals with Saudi Arabia out of concern over casualties in Yemen, President Joe Biden’s administration may shift U.S. policy not only to cancel past deals that pose human rights concerns, but limit future military sales to “defensive” weapons.

Four sources familiar with the administration’s thinking said officials are assessing the array of military equipment and training included in sales to the Saudis to determine what can be considered defensive.

Those deals would be allowed.

A State Department spokesperson said, “Our focus is on ending the conflict in Yemen even as we ensure Saudi Arabia has everything it needs to defend its territory and its people,” adding Biden has pledged to end U.S. military support for the military campaign against the Houthis.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 26, 2021

Biden team considering halting some arms sales for Saudis: Report -- Al Jazeera

U.S., China lead world as military spending increases globally -- UPI

Pentagon’s dated budget process too slow to beat China, new report says -- Defense News

US military may sidestep big budget cuts backed by progressives -- Defense News

US warships in Persian Gulf have suffer COVID-19 outbreaks -- FOX News

2 US Navy warships in Mideast hit by coronavirus outbreaks -- AP

Defense head Austin weighs warship needs in Pacific, Mideast -- AP

B-52 Could Get New Hypersonic Missile: Global Strike Commander -- Breaking Defense

‘Too early to say’ when B-52 engine contract will be awarded -- Defense News

Air Force general worried US won’t field sixth-gen fighter in time to beat China -- Defense News