By Ashna Bhutani
A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reveals that the USAs sales of arms have grown significantly. This unchecked upward trend signals the role of major arms exporters in intensifying conflicts all over the world.
Being the largest buyers and suppliers
Regional tensions in South Asia and the Middle East have made these regions the largest buyers of arms in the world. The United States is the largest arms exporter in the world, while India is the largest buyer. While India purchases most of its weapons from Russia, the fire in the Middle East is fuelled by the USA. Russia is the second largest supplier of weapons in the world. However, it is the widespread use of arms in the Middle East that has led to a debate about restricting arms sales. Saudi is the worlds second-largest arms importer, followed by Egypt. UAE and Qatar are fourth and fifth on the list respectively, proving that the Middle East is indeed the most vulnerable to outbreaks of violence.
The US administration made headlines last year when it signed a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabias arms sales shot up dramatically in recent years, particularly after Trumps accession to power. In his last week as the president, Barack Obama blocked the sale of 16,000 guided munitions kits, with the fear of casualties in Yemen. However, Trump turned a blind eye to the violence perpetrated by Saudi Arabia and proudly concluded a deal that magnified the intensity of conflict in the Middle East.
The US arms Saudi in the Yemen conflict
Yemen, which is one of Arabs poorest countries, has been dragged into an international conflict. A Saudi led military campaign to support Mr Hadi, who was expelled by the Houthi rebels, has killed thousands of people since 2015. The Houthis were allegedly backed by Shia power Iran, hence offending Saudi and 8 other mostly-Sunni countries. After three years of fighting and three UN efforts to negotiate peace, the war continues. Jihadist groups have taken advantage of the situation and tried to establish rule by seizing territory in Southern Yemen.
Human Rights activists have accused Saudi of war crimes in Yemen. Around 5,200 civilians have been killed while 8,800 were injured. The Saudi strategy in Yemen includes ground fighting, aerial bombing, and a tight blockade that restricts the flow of food, medicines, and fuel. As a result of these casualties and pressure from international communities such as Amnesty International, Germany halted weapon exports to Saudi Arabia.
Donald Trump, who views weapons sales as a tool to increase job opportunities in his own country, embraces any arms deal that comes his way. Iran has blatantly accused the USA of atrocities in Yemen. Activists and human rights experts are afraid that Saudi Arabia has not only bought USAs weapons, but also the acceptance of their policies. Referring to the use of the Patriot missile sold by the US to Saudi, Trump said Thats how good we are. Nobody makes what we make and now we are selling it all over the world.
Enhancing ISISs military capability
An intensive investigation into the origins of ISISs weapons has revealed that weapons exported from the US have ended up in Jihadist hands. Both the US and Saudi Arabia have vowed to fight against ISIS rule; however, the weapons that the organisation uses belongs to them. Despite being notorious for providing ISIS with ammunition, Saudi Arabia received billions of dollars worth arms from the US. Russia, China, and Eastern Europe have significantly contributed to the growth of ISISs weaponry in recent years.
South Asian arms imports increase
India, worlds largest arms importer during 2013-17, accounts for 12 percent of the worlds imports. Insecure about growing Chinese capabilities, India seems to have increased her defence spending. Senior researcher of SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme, Siemon Wezeman, said that the increasing tensions between India and Pakistan on one side, and India and China on the other, have led to this trend. China is capable of producing its own weapons and is currently strengthening its relations with other South Asian nations.
Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar purchase arms from China, who is the worlds fifth largest arms exporter. Pakistan, however, refuses to participate in the arms race any longer. Despite the tensions with India, Pakistan has reduced its arms imports. There has been a 36% decrease in Pakistans imports of weapons.
Why do major powers sell weapons?
Besides making a profit and providing job opportunities, there are several other motives that prevent some of the worlds leading producers of arms from containing their sales. The two major powers Russia and the US have been competing ever since the cold war began. In an attempt to gain control over a larger base and make friends with other strong nations, both sell massive quantities guiltlessly to areas already torn by war.
Major world powers are always developing new systems; however, they might not always use them. In order to track down their faults and test their systems, they arm other nations who are more likely to use them. Aiding ones allies may also be particularly beneficial for a world power. In case a war breaks out between the two nations, their allies are already divided and strengthening their weaponry can only strengthen the bloc on the whole.
On a more optimistic note, weaponry and arms have never been stronger, and the makers are well aware of that fact. It is safe to conclude that the defence spending among major world powers is so high that one will not be willing to contest the other nation’s power by waging war. On the other hand, only strict control of the sale of weapons can save the smaller nations.