The United States plans to sell $11 billion in arms to Iraq and $29.4 billion to Saudi Arabia. In the explosive Middle East, that move is questionable at best.

Iraq will get fighter jets, tanks, and a wide range of other weapons. With the final withdrawal of U.S. forces last month, Iraq is on the verge of armed conflict between its majority Shiites and minority Sunnis. Its armed forces are little more than pickup squads of Shiite militias, ready to go after Sunnis and possibly each other.

U.S. officials say the sale will help Iraq defend itself against external enemies. Its new, predominantly Shiite government has good relations with its former enemy, Shiite-dominated Iran. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki wants to strengthen his position against secessionist and other threats from Iraqi Sunnis and Kurds.

The argument runs that if the United States does not sell Iraq the arms it wants, it will buy them elsewhere. The U.S. arms industry argues that it covers its research, development, and production costs by selling its products to customers other than the U.S. military.

Saudi Arabia will get new and upgraded fighter jets. U.S. officials say the arms sales will strengthen Sunni Saudi Arabia against Shiite Iran, placate the kingdom over the United States' withdrawal of support for former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and perhaps encourage Saudi leaders to increase oil production if U.S. sanctions provoke Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. and global politics of the latest arms sales could represent a splash of gasoline on an inflammable situation in a dangerous part of the world. Washington needs to proceed cautiously.

First Published January 4, 2012, 6:50 a.m.