The Cost of the U.S. Arms Trade

Why It Matters

Council on Foreign Relations

News

4.2 • 876 Ratings

🗓️ 28 October 2022

⏱️ 38 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The global arms trade is big business and the United States accounts for more than 40 percent of the world’s weapons exports. Aside from the profit motivation, selling arms abroad can be an effective foreign policy tool, allowing the United States to exert influence over conflict and security worldwide without having to put boots on the ground. But are the risks worth the reward? Featured Guests: Christa N. Almonte (U.S. Navy Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations) William D. Hartung (Director, Arms and Security Program, Center for International Policy) Rachel Stohl (Vice President of Research Programs, Stimson Center) For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/cost-us-arms-trade

Transcript

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0:00.0	The global arms trade doesn't enjoy a particularly sunny reputation and honestly fair
0:10.4	groups like Amnesty International have condemned the industry for its lack of oversight,
0:15.0	noting the deadly cost paid by civilians.
0:18.0	The United States is the biggest arms dealer on earth.
0:23.0	From 2017 to 2021, it sold weapons to over 100 nations.
0:28.0	And in 2020 alone, American companies made 111 billion dollars from foreign military sales.
0:36.0	While this may sound like a lot, profits are actually only a part of why the U.S. does it.
0:42.0	Behind the scenes, arm sales are a common foreign policy tool,
0:46.1	giving the US leverage over the countries it sells to.
0:49.2	And, according to some, helping it to shape behavior, conflicts, and security all over the world.
0:56.1	Take our involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
0:58.8	By sending billions of dollars in weapons, along with intelligence and training,
1:02.8	the U.S. was able to provide crucial support to Ukraine
1:06.4	as it pushed back against invading Russian forces,
1:09.6	all without risking a single U.S. soldier on the battlefield.
1:13.0	But it isn't always so clear-cut.
1:15.0	In Yemen, Saudi Arabia has used American weapons to commit human rights abuses
1:20.0	as part of a war the United States has opposed. In the Afghanistan War,
1:25.2	American soldiers faced enemies using weapons first provided by the U.S. to
1:30.8	anti-Soviet Mujah-Hadine decades before. This is a complex and messy business.
1:38.2	I'm Gabriel Sierra, and this is why it matters.
1:41.8	Today, the reality behind US dominance
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