In favor of the port deal

Dan Drezner makes the case: What's the big deal about the port deal?.

• Security remains in the hands of U.S. police, U.S. Customs, and USCG.
• This was vetted by the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS).
• The United Arab Emirates is a long-time U.S. ally.  ("Dubai, in fact, was one of the first Middle Eastern countries to join the U.S. Container Security Initiative, which places U.S. customs agents in overseas ports to begin the screening process from a U.S.-bound cargo's point of departure." quoting Tony Karom in Time)
• Dubai Port World is a reputable company: "It operates port facilities from Australia through China, Korea and Malaysia to India, Germany and Venezuela. (The acquisition of P&O would give them control over container shipping ports in Vancouver, Buenos Aires and a number of locations in Britain, France and a number of Asian countries.)" (quoting Tony Karon in Time)

More:  (from Jim VandeHei and Jonathan Weisman in today's Washington Post - Bush Threatens Veto Against Bid To Stop Port Deal):

• Appropriate internal review: "Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John W. Warner (R-Va.) said last night that he will convene his panel today for a public briefing to be led by Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert M. Kimmitt and five other administration officials involved in the security review of the deal. Warner was briefed yesterday by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The senator said he was satisfied that proper procedures were followed on the deal."
• A long time ally: "The United Arab Emirates provides docking rights for more U.S. Navy ships than any other nation in the region, Warner noted. He added: "If they say they have not been treated fairly in this, we run the risk of them pulling back some of that support at a critical time of the war."

Maybe there is an argument for revamping the operations of CIFUS to provide better communication with Congress (from the Post story):

• "The deal has already passed muster with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, a secretive 12-member board that includes Cabinet members and White House officials. The panel operates behind closed doors, with little or no consultation with Congress."
• "GOP leaders are also fuming that they had not been consulted on an issue with such obvious political implications. "It's strange that the administration didn't consult Congress," a Republican leadership aide said. "They might not have had to, but it was going to be a big deal on Capitol Hill. To not know that is mystifying."

More:  Here is the useful Council of Foreign Relations background site on the issue: UAE Port Purchase Raises Outcry .