The Need for an International Regime on Conventional Arms: A Study of Russia, China, the United States and the World of Arms Transfers

Conventional Arms Agreements Large International organizations: NPT, UN Regional agreements: CSCE/OSCE, PCASED Weapon-specific agreements: MTR, CCW WMD agreements: CTBT, CWC, AG, BWC Wassenaar Agreement (1995)

Realities of Conventional Arms Trade Necessary to protect nation’s right to self-defense Used as method of economic development Used as method of diplomacy Used to upset or maintain balance of power National interest to constrain these uses Russia and US leaders in arms trade (75.3%)

China Deng Xiaoping’s Four Modernizations Number one purchaser of conventional arms (9.3 billion) among developed nations Russia as China’s main supplier; 90% of Chinese arms expenditure earned by Russia

Chinese Arms Imports Source: SIPRI Arms Transfer Database

Arms Trade as an Economic Endeavor Monetary benefits (5.12 billion) Job creation R&D for defense industry Source: SIPRI arms transfer database

Role of International Regime Profitable? Effect on standard of living? Political corruption

Arms Trade as Political Endeavor Strengthen relations Expand sphere of influence Reduce security commitments

Role of and International Regime Strengthening of relations in the long Run? Undermining national security by arming a potential rival Dangerous for international security Forum conducive to collective action against use of arms as diplomacy

Sovereignty and Responsibility Example of the NPT China’s record on proliferation activities and noncompliance Weak link between such activities and ability to acquire arms, accentuating need for an international regime

Benefits to Individual Countries: A Recap Economic efficiency and sounder economic development policies Fight corruption Benefit reputation in international community and at home

Benefits of Arms Regime to International Community promote transparency of dealings allow countries to discuss their security concerns with one another Link standing in international community with ability to acquire conventional arms ensure that military build-ups are indeed purely defensive, thereby minimizing the likelihood of a security threat emerging Focuses on long run interests