Isabella Carter
Arms sales have become a central component of diplomacy for major powers such as the United States, which transferred over $120 billion in arms and military services abroad from 1950-1980. This represents more than half of the world's total arms sales during that period. The US government manages approximately $55 billion per year in new sales of defense equipment to foreign allies and partners, and these sales are an important dimension of peacemaking and stabilization in regions like the Middle East. Arms sales are also a significant factor in the global competition between the US and other powers such as the Soviet Union, allowing them to shore up friendly states and exert influence without direct intervention. However, there are risks associated with overvaluing arms sales as an instrument of diplomacy, as they do not guarantee long-term alliances or foreign policy objectives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Role in diplomacy | Arms sales have become a key instrument of diplomacy for weapons suppliers. |
| Traditional instruments of diplomacy | There has been a decline in traditional instruments of diplomacy, such as formal alliances, stationing of forces abroad, and the threat of direct intervention. |
| Competition between powers | Arms sales can be used to shore up friendly states or play out competitions through arming proxies. |
| Economic and military assistance | The US and the Soviet Union now give more in military than in economic assistance. |
| Leverage | Selling large quantities of arms without firm commitments can reduce leverage over sensitive issues, such as nuclear proliferation. |
| Regional security | Arms sales can impact the economic, military, psychological, and diplomatic posture of recipients, affecting regional security. |
| Reagan Administration's policy | The Reagan Administration emphasized arms sales as an indispensable instrument of American policy, marking a shift from the Carter Administration's restraint. |
| US commitment | The United States is committed to strengthening allies and partners to meet their self-defense needs and improve interoperability. |
| US government management | The US government manages approximately $55 billion per year in new sales of defense equipment to foreign allies and partners. |
| Regulatory compliance | Arms sales in the US must comply with the Arms Export Control Act, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and other relevant laws and international agreements. |
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What You'll Learn
Arms sales are a form of diplomacy and security
The United States, in particular, has a long history of utilizing arms sales as a diplomatic tool, with the Reagan Administration known for its emphasis on this strategy. Between 1950 and 1980, the United States transferred over $120 billion in arms and military services abroad, more than half of the world's total. The US government continues to manage billions of dollars in new sales of defense equipment annually through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, providing foreign allies with defense capabilities, training, and support.
Arms sales can also play a role in peacemaking and stabilization efforts, as seen in the Middle East. However, there is a risk of overvaluing this instrument, as nations' alliances can shift over time, and their friendship or foreign policies cannot be solely "bought" with weapons. Additionally, the decline in traditional diplomatic tools, such as developmental aid, has contributed to the increased reliance on arms sales as a form of diplomacy.
Arms sales have tangible implications for regional security and can impact power dynamics between nations. Therefore, an arms control approach is necessary to manage the process and ensure that sales are consistent with foreign policy goals and national security interests. The United States, for example, carefully assesses each proposed transfer on a case-by-case basis, considering political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control conditions before approving any sales.
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The US government reviews arms sales to foreign governments
Arms sales have become a central component of American diplomacy and foreign policy. The US government reviews arms sales to foreign governments to ensure they are consistent with US interests and enhance international security. The US government has authorized hundreds of billions of dollars in arms sales to foreign governments and other foreign buyers, with more than $180 billion in fiscal year 2018 alone. The US government manages approximately $55 billion per year in new sales of defense equipment to foreign allies and partners.
The US government uses two key arms transfer programs: Direct Commercial Sales and Foreign Military Sales. In Direct Commercial Sales, a US corporation and a foreign buyer negotiate the sale of arms, while in Foreign Military Sales, the US government and a foreign government negotiate an agreement. Both types of transfers undergo extensive reviews, including national security and foreign policy reviews. The Departments of State and Defense consider various criteria when evaluating proposed arms transfers, including political, military, economic, arms control, and human rights conditions.
The Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers in the Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/RSAT) manages the FMS approval process in close partnership with the Department of Defense's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). DSCA coordinates the implementation of FMS cases and provides regulatory approvals for approximately $115 billion per year in sales of defense equipment, services, and manufacturing technologies controlled under the US Munitions List (USML). The FMS sales process begins when a country submits a formal Letter of Request (LOR) outlining its desired military capabilities and budget.
Major defense transfers and sales may be subject to Congressional notification, and the US government works to ensure that US-origin defense equipment is used consistently with the agreement or licenses under which the arms were transferred. The US government seeks to control access to US-origin defense technologies by hostile state and non-state actors while expediting defense transfers to its allies and partners. Arms sales are neither inherently good nor bad but are instruments of diplomacy and security that can have long-term implications for regional stability.
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Arms sales are a central component of American diplomacy
Arms sales are an important dimension of the peacemaking and stabilization process in the Middle East, and they are a major component of America's approach toward competition with other global powers such as the Soviet Union. They are also a way to shore up friendly states and play a role in international power dynamics. For instance, the recent $8.5 billion sale to Saudi Arabia constitutes a redistribution of power in the region.
Arms sales are tangible implements of foreign policy with potential long-term implications for regional security. The United States considers political, military, economic, arms control, and human rights conditions when determining the provision of military equipment and licensing of direct commercial sales to any country. Each proposed transfer is carefully assessed on a case-by-case basis and approved if it aligns with U.S. foreign policy and national security interests.
However, there is a risk of overvaluing arms sales as an instrument of diplomacy. Nations pursue their interests, and their friendship or foreign policies cannot be bought with weapons. Additionally, there is a need for international restraints on the transfer of arms to enhance global security.
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Arms sales are neither inherently good nor bad
The United States, for example, has a long history of using arms sales as a tool of foreign policy. During the Cold War, the United States transferred over $120 billion in arms and military services to foreign nations, more than half of the world's total. Under the Reagan Administration, there was a strong emphasis on arms sales as an instrument of diplomacy, and this trend is likely to continue and even grow more controversial. The United States government currently manages approximately $55 billion per year in new sales of defense equipment to foreign allies and partners, providing them with defense capabilities, training, and support.
However, there are risks associated with overvaluing arms sales as a diplomatic tool. Nations pursue their interests, and their alliances can shift over time. Therefore, the idea that weapons can "buy" friendship or influence may be flawed. For example, the United States' experience in Iran and the Soviet Union's experience in Egypt demonstrate how today's ally can become tomorrow's enemy.
Additionally, arms sales have long-term implications for regional security and power dynamics. They can contribute to the redistribution of power and influence, which may be equal to or even greater than some recognized economic forms. As such, it is crucial to manage the process of arms sales carefully to enhance international security. This involves considering political, military, economic, arms control, and human rights conditions to ensure that arms sales further foreign policy and national security interests.
In conclusion, arms sales are neither inherently good nor bad. They are a tool that can be used to pursue diplomatic and security goals. However, their effectiveness and impact depend on how they are managed and utilized. As such, an arms control approach is desirable, but it must be integrated with the realities of foreign policy to be successful.
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Arms sales are a form of foreign policy
The United States, as the world's largest supplier of arms, has long recognised the strategic value of arms sales in its foreign policy. Between 1950 and 1980, the United States transferred over $120 billion worth of arms and military services abroad, accounting for more than half of the global total. The Reagan Administration, in particular, embraced arms sales as a key instrument of diplomacy, adopting a more permissive approach to selling weapons.
Arms sales can serve multiple strategic objectives for nations. They can be used to shore up friendly states, enhance their defence capabilities, and foster alliances. Additionally, arms sales can be a means to exert influence and project power, as nations providing arms may gain leverage over the recipient countries. Arms sales also have economic implications, generating revenue for the selling nations and bolstering their defence industries.
However, arms sales as a foreign policy tool come with risks and ethical considerations. While nations may view arms sales as a means to pursue their interests and strengthen alliances, the recipients of those arms could become adversaries in the future, as witnessed in the US experience with Iran. Moreover, the overreliance on arms sales as a diplomatic tool may lead to their overvaluation, potentially undermining other traditional instruments of diplomacy, such as formal alliances, stationing of forces abroad, and developmental aid.
To navigate these complexities, an arms control approach is essential. The United States, for example, carefully assesses each proposed arms transfer on a case-by-case basis, considering political, military, economic, arms control, and human rights conditions. This review process ensures that arms sales further the country's foreign policy and national security interests while also contributing to international stability.
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Frequently asked questions
Arms sales are an instrument of diplomacy and security. They are a tangible implement of foreign policy and can have long-term implications for regional security.
Arms sales can be a means to shore up friendly states and strengthen alliances. However, they can also lead to a redistribution of power, potentially upsetting the balance of international relations.
The US government reviews each proposed transfer, considering political, military, economic, arms control, and human rights conditions. Arms sales must further US foreign policy and national security interests to be approved.
The process begins with a foreign country submitting a formal Letter of Request (LOR) to the US government, outlining their desired military capabilities and budget. The Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers (PM/RSAT) manages the approval process, working with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
Arms sales have become a common aspect of world politics and are likely to continue to grow in significance. They are a central component of American diplomacy, particularly in the Middle East, and were heavily utilised during the Cold War era.
