US, Israel, China, and the Shifting Arms Trade in the Middle East

The Middle East’s share of U.S. arms imports has steadily declined, a trend largely influenced by the U.S. policy of ensuring Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME). This legally mandated policy, in place since 2008, guarantees Israel a technological and strategic advantage over its neighbors. However, this approach has strained relations with key regional allies such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which seek advanced military capabilities often restricted under QME...