The inaugural Forum on the Arms Trade annual conference, “Taking Aim: A Closer Look at the Global Arms Trade,” is a half-day event that will take place at the Stimson Center on May 22, 2018. Join a member of Congress, current and recent government officials, investigative reporters, human rights leaders, researchers, and a former arms dealer as we look into the effects of the global arms trade on human and national security, and discuss how the U.S. can better assess risk when transferring arms.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) will kick-off the conference with a short speech and answer questions at noon.
The conference will conclude with a discussion with Guy Lawson, author of the award-winning book “Arms and the Dudes,” which was made into the feature film “War Dogs” and one of the dudes himself, David Packouz.
Panels during the day feature:
Living with the Arms Trade: Perspective from Conflict Areas
- Radhya Almutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana Organization for Human Rights (Yemen)
- John Ismay, Conflict Reporter, New York Times; former U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer
- Andrea Prasow, Deputy Washington Director, Human Rights Watch
- Rahma A. Hussein (moderator), Legal Fellow, Counterterrorism, Armed Conflict and Human Rights Project, Columbia Law School
Assessing Risk in U.S. Arms Transfers
- Michael F. Miller, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers (Director), U.S. Department of State
- Shannon N. Green, Senior Director of Programs, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC); former Senior Director for Global Engagement, National Security Council
- Stephen Watts, Senior Political Scientist, RAND Corporation
- Colby Goodman (moderator), Director, Security Assistance Monitor
Additional agenda information forthcoming.