U.S. Conventional Weapons Proliferation Policies are Inadequate

Abstract

This Strategy Research Project (SRP) evaluates U.S. policies regarding the proliferation of conventional weapons throughout the world and makes recommendations for improvement. It briefly focuses on events and political decisions that led to current U.S. policies. It then reviews the current arms market identifying the conventional weapons buyers and sellers; it analyzes these market influences on U.S. conventional arms proliferation policies and outlines the U.S. process for conventional weapons sales. U.S. policies for conventional weapons sales are detailed. Economics regional stability risks to U.S. citizens and multilateral weapons control initiatives are cited as the most important issues that U.S. policy makers must weigh as they develop policy guidelines. The current U.S. conventional arms proliferation policies are discussed and evaluated against four criteria: national interests costs U.S. defense industrial base and U.S. public support. This analysis focuses on the trends that affect military readiness. The SRP concludes with specific recommendations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 21, 2004
Accession Number
ADA424083

Entities

People

  • Michael H. Postma

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerospace Industry
  • Agreements
  • Arms Control
  • Cold War
  • Department Of Defense
  • Developing Nations
  • Economic Security
  • Economics
  • Export Controls
  • Foreign Policy
  • Governments
  • International Security
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Security
  • Treaties
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Economics
  • Strategic Security Studies