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

In Conventional Arms Research

The international arms trade affects all aspects of international relations, as countries around the world buy and sell weapons to advance their foreign policy, national security, and economic interests. Yet the transfer and use of conventional weapons come with inherent risks. The international arms trade is too often poorly regulated and irresponsibly managed, creating an environment that in many cases increases the extent and deadliness of armed conflict, limits economic prosperity, and contributes to human rights abuses and humanitarian harm around the world.

The project seeks to reduce risk and minimize harm associated with the global arms trade. By bringing together governments, international and regional organizations, civil society, and the private sector in common cause, the project seeks to to address concerns surrounding conventional weapons and promotes responsible arms transfer control policies around the world.

In Focus
Exploring the causes, consequences, and solutions to unaccountability in America’s foreign and domestic security sectors
Data and tracking of arms transfers to Ukraine and analysis on potential tactical, strategic, and diplomatic consequences and risks

Research

Issue Brief
Exploring how distributed ledger technology can offer governments and industry improved integrity and security for conventional arms transfers
Elias Yousif • William Marshall
Issue Brief
Examining assumptions about dependence and influence in the U.S. security cooperation enterprise
Elias Yousif
Report
Accountable state security institutions are a cornerstone of good governance. For civilian victims and survivors of harm, accountability can reaffirm their humanity, promote healing, and reduce the likelihood that harm will recur in the future. Yet all too often, accountability for harm remains elusive
Issue Brief
An overview of current EUM policies, dispels commonly held misconceptions of current EUM practice, and offers recommendations for how these regulations could be strengthened.
Report
Examining the tradeoffs involved with normalizing exceptions to the rules that govern the use of lethal force, and offering concrete recommendations for increasing public awareness and strengthening oversight and accountability
Rachel Stohl
Report
Provide lawmakers with a comprehensive summary of existing recommendations for arms transfers reform that can be implemented through legislation and oversight.
Policy Memo
As the world’s leading arms exporter, the United States holds considerable influence over appropriate arms transfer control policies and should serve as an example for national approaches that are responsible, transparent, and accountable.
Shannon Dick • Rachel Stohl

Events

News & Commentary

Commentary
A look back on U.S. military assistance to Ukraine and how the risks may evolve going forward two years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Elias Yousif • Rachel Stohl
Commentary
A look at how a bill raising the value threshold for arms sales notifications poses a risk to congressional and public oversight
Elias Yousif • Ari Tolany
Commentary
What the Biden administration's emergency arms sales to Israel say about congressional oversight
Elias Yousif
Commentary
Considering the importance of a more responsible, restrained, and arms trade on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Elias Yousif • Ryan Fletcher • Rachel Stohl
Commentary
A guide to the humanitarian law conditions on U.S. arms sales and security assistance to Israel
Elias Yousif • John Ramming Chappell • Annie Shiel...
Commentary
How the United States can learn from its experience in Ukraine to improve oversight and transparency of the military aid effort for Israel
Elias Yousif
Commentary
As Washington delivers military aid to Israel, Stimson experts explore 70 years of a partnership underwritten by billions in arms transfers and security assistance
Elias Yousif • Rachel Stohl
Commentary
The United States' transparency on military aid in Ukraine demonstrates it can do the same for aid to other partners as well
Elias Yousif

Subscription Options

* indicates required

Research Areas

Pivotal Places

Publications & Project Lists

38 North: News and Analysis on North Korea