Biden and Congress at 100 Days – Assessing Arms Trade Policy

Two weeks into his administration on February 4, 2021, President Biden announced that the United States would no longer support offensive military operations in the war in Yemen, including relevant arms sales. The announcement marked a shift in U.S. policy toward Yemen and brought to the fore current U.S. arms transfer policies and the role that U.S. arms sales can have in sustaining conflict and facilitating harm. In recent years, Congress has also increasingly discussed the role of arms sales in U.S. foreign policy, proposing and passing numerous resolutions of disapproval on controversial arms transfers.

In light of this renewed attention on U.S. arms sales and to mark the Biden administration’s and the 117th Congress’ first 100 days, please join the Forum on the Arms Trade, the Stimson Center, PAX, and the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) for an expert conversation on the U.S. government’s approach to – as well as roles and responsibilities in – the global arms trade.