Chapter 10, Hard Landing Summary and Analysis

The United States buys oil from Saudi Arabia and the Saudis use the money to buy armaments from the United States. They are the best armaments customer of the United States. The arms are paid for through reverse collections, which means they don't show upon the books. Much of the money is kickbacks to the Saudi royal family. This is a part of doing business with Saudi Arabia. The practice is also in violation of United States law.

Boeing entered into contracts to deliver aircraft to the Saudis. They signed consulting agreements with Khalid bin Mahfouz to act as middleman. The excessive commissions of ten to twelve percent were the funds used for bribes and kickbacks.

In November of 1995, right after the deal between Boeing and Saudi Arabia was made, a car bomb exploded at a United...