An Analysis On America's Arms Trade

A Russian-made multiple rocket launcher known as the TOS-1A fires during training at a military camp in Baghdad, October 14, 2014.REUTERS/Stringer

David Axe, Reuters: Why arming U.S. allies can be like sending weapons straight to the enemy

The United States has a long tradition of arming its allies to advance Washington’s foreign policy. In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called the United States the “arsenal of democracy” as he pledged thousands of ships, tanks and warplanes to countries battling Nazi Germany.

Roosevelt’s characterization is no less true today. The U.S. government is sending large amounts of weapons to allies desperately battling Islamic State extremists in Iraq and Syria. Washington is also considering equipping the battered Ukrainian military, which has been fighting Russian-sponsored rebels in the country’s east.

WNU Editor: A good overview and analysis on America's arms trade with its friends and allies .... and the consequences when things go wrong, especially when U.S. arms ends up in the wrong hands .... case in point .... Video Shows Al Qaeda Operating TOW Anti-Tank Missiles in Syria (Washington Free Beacon).

The War Against The Islamic State War Is Definitely Good Business For The Arms Trade

Bloomberg: Islamic State War Boosts Biggest Private African Arms Maker

(Bloomberg) -- Islamic State’s expansion is causing instability from Basra to Beirut. It’s also boosting business for Ivor Ichikowitz, the founder of Africa’s biggest privately owned arms company.

Ichikowitz’s Paramount Group, which sells products ranging from naval patrol vessels to refitted Mirage fighter jets, last month won an order to sell 50 armored vehicles worth more than $1 million each to Jordan. He expects more business to follow with Middle Eastern governments looking to bolster their defenses as the Islamist militant group battles state forces in at least three countries and threatens to invade more.

While the U.S. is leading air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, its limited involvement in ground operations compared with previous operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is creating opportunities for Paramount as governments arm themselves, he said.

WNU Editor: The arms trade is unfortunately a fact of life for mankind ... especially in conflict zones like Africa and the Middle East. What is unique about this story is that some African firms are now positioining themselves to "take advanatge of this".

The World's Arms Trade Continues To Rise

Deutsche Welle: Global arms exports on rise: SIPRI

The United States has widened its lead as the world's major arms exporter, says the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which has just published new data on international arms transfers.

Overall, the volume of international weapons transfers between 2005-2009 and 2010-2014 went up by 16 percent, according to an annual update of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Database, published on Monday.

WNU Editor: The Sipri report on global arms sales is here.

More News On The Global Arms Trade

US and Russia remain world’s biggest arms exporters – study -- RT
U.S. Remains Biggest Arms Exporter But Russia, China Gain -- Bloomberg
Sales of weapons to Gulf states up 70% over five years -- The Guardian
India becomes world’s largest arms importer in 2010-2014 — study -- ITAR-TASS
India becomes world’s largest arms importer in 2010-2014 — study -- RBTH
Pakistan tops list of Asian countries buying weapons from China: report -- Express Tribune
US Arms Industry Generates Massive Weapons Sales Globally -- Sputnik
US is major driver of global expansion in arms trade, report finds -- Al Jazeera
Europe's arms exports in free fall -- EU Observer

Apparently It Is Easy For Terrorists To Get Military Grade Weapons On The European Black Market

© REUTERS/ Handout via Reuters TV

Sputnik: Weaponry Obtained by Paris Gunmen Easily Available on European Black Market

Update: Paris terror arsenal: Kalashnikovs, rocket launcher, grenade -- AP

WNU Editor: So much for strict European gun control.