The International Traffic in Arms Regulations: An Impediment to National Security

Abstract

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is putting United States (U.S.) advanced technology and weapons companies at a competitive disadvantage, particularly in the fields of satellite manufacturing and technology. Unnecessary and inefficient bureaucratic review, coupled with the overly stringent application of needlessly restrictive regulations, causes U.S. companies to lose foreign contracts that were once assured. The negative economic impact of the ITAR has permitted foreign companies and governments to enter markets that were previously not competitively open to them. As the U.S. commercial satellite market share continues to erode, the U.S. risks losing technical dominance, thereby negatively impacting national security. This paper examines the theory and history behind export controls and the current United States export control system, the regulations implemented to enforce the export control system and the negative national security implications of the ITAR. Seven recommendations to "fix the ITAR" are proposed in an effort to preserve U.S. space industry superiority as is consistent with the dictates of the U.S. National Security Strategy..

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 02, 2008
Accession Number
ADA489976

Entities

People

  • Steven G. Mahon

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerospace Industry
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Commerce
  • Communication Satellites
  • Control Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Education
  • Government (Foreign)
  • Governments
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Satellite Communications
  • Security
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Economics
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space