Chapter 1971 - 1435: Legal Loophole (Part 2)

Robbin asked, "What was Safar's reaction?"

"He personally inspected with three technical officers." Lemont pulled up the drone footage: "The inspection process lasted two hours and seventeen minutes. Afterward, Safar and Song Heping entered the command post and had a private conversation for forty-seven minutes. Our communication monitoring system captured some fragments, but they were using encrypted satellite phones, so we could only determine that the conversation definitely involved 'larger-scale cooperation' and 'fast track'."

"Forty-seven minutes." Robbin murmured the number. "Enough to finalize a game-changing deal. Oh, right, can we estimate the amount of Song Heping's bribery?"

Lemont hesitated.

This was the most uncertain part of the entire intelligence.

"It's hard to estimate accurately." He admitted, "Safar doesn't fit the template of corrupt military officers we usually encounter. We've monitored all his bank accounts, and the past three years' transactions have been exceptionally 'clean'. He lives in barracks, drives a Ministry of Defense-issued Toyota Hilux pickup, and his only personal luxury is an Omega Seamaster wristwatch, which was a gift from his father when he graduated from Ranger School."

Robbin lifted the slightly warm whiskey and took a sip. "I estimate Song Heping would cater to his needs, providing Safar with equipment, training resources, and maybe political support in the parliament or the army. In return, Safar would provide him with what he needs most—establishing a fast track for this arms deal through his uncle's connections, bypassing cumbersome bureaucratic processes, and completing the transfer in a short time."

Simon nodded, "Exactly. We confirmed with our inside source in the Illigo Ministry of Defense office that Song Heping hopes to complete the preliminary agreement within two days and finalize the main equipment transfer procedures within a week. I suspect after dining with you, this yellow-skinned monkey realized this batch of arms is a hot potato, and he wants to quickly offload them to the Illigo Ministry of Defense. Once the contract is signed and the transfer is completed, we certainly can't take the equipment back from the Illigo Ministry of Defense, and he can also avoid the trouble of being harassed and monitored by us."

"A week?"

Robbin burst into laughter.

"Does he truly believe the Illigo Ministry of Defense is like Huaqiang North electronics market in his motherland, where you order today and pick up tomorrow? Lemont, you understand Illigo's bureaucratic system; how many days does it take on average from application to approval for the simplest procurement?"

"Forty-five to sixty days, and if sensitive equipment is involved, at least ninety days or more." Lemont replied.

"So what makes Song Heping think he can complete it within a week? And with a transaction involving US military equipment valued at 2.5 billion dollars?" Robbin's question was as precise as a scalpel.

Lemont pondered for a moment, "Two possibilities. Either he's overestimating his influence, or... he's received some kind of guarantee we aren't aware of."

Robbin nodded and walked towards the large Middle East map on the east wall of the office.

The map was densely marked with various symbols.

Troop deployments, areas controlled by armed factions, key infrastructure, known military transshipment points.

"Let's think from another perspective." Robbin's finger moved from Mosul to Baghdad. "According to the agreement Song Heping signed with the White House, he acquired 'ownership and disposal rights' over this batch of supplies. However, there's a legal nuance here. He has the right to 'own' these pieces of equipment, but to 'transfer' them to a third-country government, specifically countries in unstable regions like Illigo, he needs another procedure."

Lemont suddenly understood Robbin's line of thought.

As a CIA station chief, he was familiar with operations and intelligence, but not adept at the legal intricacies of international arms trade.

And Robbin, as the AAFES supervisor, was precisely skilled in this area.

"The Arms Trade Treaty." Lemont blurted out.

"Article 4, Section 2." Robbin precisely quoted: "'State Parties should assess the transfer's potential to undermine peace and security, or to be used in serious violations of international human rights or international humanitarian law' before approving arms exports.' Illigo signed the treaty in 2014. Although Congress has not formally ratified it, the government follows its principles in practice."

Robbin returned to the desk and took out a beautifully bound document from the drawer, throwing it onto the desk.

The cover printed "United States Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales Guide."

"Page 317, Appendix G." Robbin gestured Lemont to open it: "Transfers of 'potentially destabilizing regional stability' weapons systems to 'Non-NATO Major Allies' require final authorization from the export country, namely the US National Security Council, even if these items have left US territory."

Lemont quickly browsed through the complex legal text, locating the crucial paragraphs amid the dense provisions.

Sweat began to appear on his forehead.

"But the White House has already approved the overall agreement..." Lemont's voice conveyed uncertainty.

"Approved 'disposal rights', not 'transfer rights'." Robbin corrected, "It's a legal loophole. AAFES hires twelve lawyers who specialize in international arms trade laws. Their combined salary exceeds five million dollars, which is a demonstration of their value."

Lemont felt a chill.

He realized that he was only seeing the tip of the iceberg, while the part underneath was even larger and more complex.

"Song Heping can legally purchase these items from US military stock, he can transport them out of the warehouse, and even sell them to the Illigo Ministry of Defense."

Robbin explained slowly, like a teacher instructing a slow student.

"However, when he has to formally transfer ownership of these items to Illigo Ministry of Defense, according to US law and Illigo's international treaty obligations, it requires 'end-user verification' and 'non-proliferation commitment' documents from the US National Security Council."

"And in such a short time, Song Heping simply can't obtain these documents." Lemont's thoughts gradually became clear. "Especially concerning portable air defense systems like the Stinger missiles, DOD is extremely sensitive about their trajectory."

"Precisely." Robbin nodded in satisfaction, "So Song Heping either violates regulations by bribing Safar to persuade Minister Rashim to bypass procedures to complete the deal. That's the best outcome; we can report his breach to the Pentagon and hold him accountable."

"The other situation is..."

Robbin sat down in front of Lemont, facing him.

"Highly likely, the batch he is in a hurry to sell this time doesn't include those sensitive pieces, hence the hot potato is actually still in his own hands, and we still have a chance."