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, in collaboration with the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), revealed that 280 retired military troops sought work as military contractors or consultants for the (UAE). Among those named were former generals and admirals.Ìý

Two long-term investigations disclosed that the highest-ranking officer was retired . Mattis served as former US president Donald Trump's defence secretary. He also served as a military advisor to the Gulf nation in 2015, returning as defence chief in 2017.

Mattis had also previously worked as a senior counsellor at a Washington-based consulting firm called The Cohen Group. Its co-president, Robert Tyrer, revealed to the Washinton Post that Mattis advised Emiratis on "the operational, tactical, informational and ethical aspects" of military operations, but that he did not request or accept any type of payment from the Emirati government besides reimbursement for travel expenses.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, the Washington Post was able to obtain 4,000 documents. Through these documents, it was revealed that 15 other former high-ranking military officials worked directly with 's ministry of defence.Ìý

Among them was former US president Barack Obama's national security adviser Marine General James L. Jones. Jones began working in Saudi Arabia in 2017, where he was able to enlist the help of several former senior Pentagon officials.Ìý

According to the newspaper, Jones said he was approached by the Kingdom's government as its was searching "if there was something that we could do to help them in transforming their Ministry of Defense".

Documents reveal that four unnamed retired officers received six-figure salaries, from US$200,000 to US$300,000 to advise Saudi Arabia's ministry of defence. The UAE paid annual compensations of over US$200,00 to helicopter pilots and US$120,000 to aircraft mechanics.Ìý