Iraqi puppet government is quickly becoming like your typical Middle East tyrannical regime with an appetite for US advanced weapons

"Iraq's decision to purchase 18 F-16 fighter jets will provide a "very robust capability" where now there is none and will allow the country to protect its airspace, the chief U.S. military spokesman in Iraq said Thursday.  But an Iraqi parliamentarian who sits on the defense oversight committee said the size of the order was so small as to be "ridiculous." Aides to Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki said a follow-up order for more of the planes, which Lockheed Martin makes at Fort Worth, Texas, is nearly certain.  Ali Musawi, a spokesman for Maliki, said the 18 planes are "a first installment, and hopefully there will be another 18 to make a total of 36.""  The deal, worth $3 billion, was announced this week after Iraq, its treasury flush because of high oil prices, made a $1.4 billion down payment". (thanks Krim)