Considerations for U.S. Policy Toward Conventional Arms Manufacturers in Post-Conflict or Failed-State Environments
Abstract
U.S. policy toward weapons' manufacturers in post-conflict and failed-state environments has been historically inconsistent. In post-WWII Germany, policy focused on dismantling weapon's factories and recruiting scientists and engineers. In the Former Soviet Union, policy focused on destruction of weapons of mass destruction, defense conversion, and redirection of weapon's scientists to peaceful endeavors to prevent proliferation. In post-2003 Iraq, U.S. policy focused exclusively on preventing the proliferation of those with experience working in weapons of mass destruction programs. No effort was made to convert defense industrial facilities to civilian production, resulting in the unemployment of 60,000 Iraqis who had worked there. With the increasing global threat posed by non-state actors and their use of improvised weapons, the world can no longer afford to ignore the fates of defense industrialists in post-conflict or failed-state environments. The market for their expertise has grown substantially and unemployment puts them at risk for recruitment. The U.S. should consider one of two options to address this issue: (1) expand current Cooperative Threat Reduction programs to include conventional arms experts, or (2) create a new program designed to offer those at risk an alternative to providing their expertise to insurgents, terrorists, and criminal organizations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA614392
Entities
People
- William T. Liimatainen
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College