Stimson’s Conventional Defense Program seeks to reduce risk and minimize harm associated with the global arms trade. Reducing illicit arms trafficking and irresponsible weapons trade increases stability and security, upholds the values of human rights, protects civilians, and promotes multilateral cooperation. Stimson focuses on the U.S. and international arms trade, the export and use of armed drones, the provision of military assistance to governments using and supporting the use of child soldiers, and the development of international norms and standards to regulate the trade in and use of conventional weapons.
How a 20-year agreement outlining billions in assistance to Israel undermines efforts to ensure U.S. security cooperation is strategically relevant and delivering a return for U.S. interests
November 25, 2025
Analysis of Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) annual reports covering weapons imports and exports during the 2024 calendar year
November 12, 2025
Assessing how private military companies shape escalation management, deterrence, and WMD risks
October 6, 2025
How a pro-European parliamentary win in Moldova delivers strategic lessons in countering hybrid warfare
October 2, 2025
Why Russia’s hybrid campaign to tip the scales of elections in Moldova has global implications
September 25, 2025
How the shuttering of the Human Rights Reporting Gateway reimposes a blind spot for U.S. security assistance.
September 15, 2025
After citing waste and fraud in U.S. foreign aid, the Trump administration is dismantling a key mechanism for transparency and oversight in international assistance
September 3, 2025
Enhancing knowledge on the role of end-use and end-user controls in the context of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
August 29, 2025
