The United States has approved $8.6 billion in emergency arms sales to Middle East allies, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoking emergency powers under the Arms Export Control Act to bypass the standard congressional review process. The sales — covering precision-guided weapon systems, Patriot air defence restocking, and battle command radar equipment — are destined for Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, countries whose defence stockpiles have been depleted by Iranian missile and drone attacks since the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran in late February. The move has drawn renewed attention to broader US military readiness concerns, with analysts warning that the heavy drawdown of American munitions could limit Washington's capacity to respond to a potential future conflict with China over Taiwan.