Conventional Arms Transfers in the Post-Cold War Era: Directions for U.S. Policy

Abstract

For the last two years, the Clinton administration has debated the need for tighter restraints on conventional arms transfers, during which time the United States has solidified its position as the world's number one arms exporter. This paper discusses the reasons why the United States has become the leading arms exporter in the 1990's, the pros and cons of greater restraint, and the complexities of the domestic and international environment that shape conventional arms policy. This essay concludes that the Clinton administration made the correct decision this February by opting for continuation of an arms transfer policy that is based on case-by-case review and against unilateral restraint.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA441116

Entities

People

  • John J. Norris Jr.

Organizations

  • National War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Arms Control
  • Asia
  • Cold War
  • Commerce
  • Congress
  • Contractors
  • Defense Industry
  • Governments
  • Human Rights
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Security
  • Social Sciences
  • South Asia
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies