About Stimson

Conventional Defense Program

Reducing the risk and harm associated with the global arms trade

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.

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c2U7ZGlzcGxheTppbmxpbmUtYmxvY2s7dmVydGljYWwtYWxpZ246bWlkZGxlO2ZvbnQtc3R5bGU6bm9ybWFsICFpbXBvcnRhbnR9LnRiLWJ1dHRvbl9faWNvbjo6YmVmb3Jle2NvbnRlbnQ6YXR0cihkYXRhLWZvbnQtY29kZSk7Zm9udC13ZWlnaHQ6bm9ybWFsICFpbXBvcnRhbnR9LnRiLWJ1dHRvbl9fbGlua3tiYWNrZ3JvdW5kLWNvbG9yOiM0NDQ7Ym9yZGVyLXJhZGl1czowLjNlbTtmb250LXNpemU6MS4zZW07bWFyZ2luLWJvdHRvbTowLjc2ZW07cGFkZGluZzowLjU1ZW0gMS41ZW0gMC41NWVtfSB9IA==

Program Case Statement

Program Team

Natalie Bramlett

Research Assistant

Brian Castner

Senior Advisor and Nonresident Fellow

Roberto Dondisch

Distinguished Fellow

Rachel Stohl

Senior Vice President of Research Programs

Elias Yousif

Fellow and Deputy Director

Projects

Arms Trade Treaty Baseline Assessment Project (ATT-BAP)

Supporting effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty.

Advancing Child Protection Through Peacekeeping

Assessing efforts to protect children and prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers in the context of peacekeeping missions

Mercenaries

An in-depth exploration of how the evolving operations of private military companies are reshaping global peace, security, and human rights landscapes

Strengthening Arms and Dual-Use Trade Controls

Identifying common implementation good practices by crosswalking trade control regimes for conventional defense and dual use CBRN items

Child Soldiers

Examining the nexus between arms sales, military assistance, and the recruitment and use of child soldiers around the world

Managing the Arms Trade

Promoting long-term stability and security through responsible arms sales and advancing transparent and accountable policies and processes for arms transfer decisions

Drones

Promoting an effective, transparent, and accountable US drone policy and responsible international standards guiding drone transfers and use

Arms Trade Treaty

Supporting effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty

Research

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Commentary

Looking at the ATT at 10

The balancing act of depicting the Arms Trade Treaty’s successes and challenges.

August 20, 2024

Commentary

An ATT at 10 Reflection

Contemplating the accomplishments of Arms Trade Treaty negotiations and the challenges of implementation from the final President of the ATT negotiations.

August 20, 2024