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The Forum on the Arms Trade is a network of civil society experts and a point of contact for strengthening public efforts to address the humanitarian, economic and other implications of arms transfers, security assistance, and weapons use. The Forum provides a venue for bringing its community's wide-ranging expertise together to amplify and strengthen its work, while also offering government and media members a one-stop resource for the latest information, analysis, and best contacts. Forum-listed experts are located around the world and work on diverse topics including human rights, development, arms control, humanitarian disarmament, cybersecurity, arms and the environment, anti-corruption, and related fields.


Emerging Experts Program - Apply by May 27

Pursuing a master's or doctorate degree, or already employed at an early stage in career addressing arms trade, security assistance, or weapons use? Consider applying for our Emerging Expert program. See details.
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Annual Conference -
​April 12, 14, 20

See recommendations and resources from our annual conference, click here (pdf).
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Biden Administration Controversial Arms Sales

On April 14, the Biden administration notified Congress of a potential $997 million sale to Nigeria for twelve (12) AH-1Z attack helicopters and related weapons.

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On March 16, Head of U.S. Central Command Frank McKenzie said the Biden administration would fulfill Egypt's years-long request for F-15 fighter jets at a Senate hearing. Congress has yet to be officially notified of the sale. 

On March 10, S.J.Res 35 to block arms sales to Egypt failed, with fewer than 20 Senators voting to discharge it from committee. Separately, 42 Republican Senators sent a letter to President Biden disagreeing with his decision "to delay and deny Poland the option to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine." The administration had earlier rejected an offer from Poland to donate MiG jets to the United States, for potential U.S. transfer to Ukraine. ​
On February 7, Sen. Rand Paul introduced resolutions of disapproval on the proposed Egyptian arms sales via the FMS program (see January 25, below). On March 10, that resolution failed to pass.

After a January 30 deadline for Egypt to take action passed, the administration decided to reprogram $130 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Foreign Military Financing (FMF). On February 1, nineteen organizations issues a 
joint statement  welcoming this decision, but calling it insufficient.

On January 31, during a meeting with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President Biden indicated that he is planning to designate of Qatar as a major non-NATO ally More on this designation status can be found here.

On January 25, the Biden administration notified Congress of potential foreign military sales to Egypt for 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for $2.2 billion and 3 air defense radars for $355 million. 
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Congressional Arms Trade Measures

During the 117th U.S. Congress session (2021-2022) members of the House and Senate have and will propose a range of legislation addressing the arms trade, security assistance, and military support. This resource page will be updated frequently.

One of the most recently added measure is the Values in Arms Export Act of 2022, introduced in the House on April 1, 2022.
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Conventional Arms Transfer Policy

The Biden administration is revising U.S. conventional arms transfer (CAT) policy, with media reporting a possible release in September and greater emphasis on human rights. This new resource includes past policies, general policy recommendations from Forum-listed experts, and other relevant material. It will be updated as information about the new CAT policy becomes available.
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Experts Publications

​Highlighting publications in which Forum-listed experts were involved. Inclusion on the Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others.
Lauren Woods, "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act," Security Assistance Monitor, May 2022.

William Hartung+, "The costs and risks of the new Ukraine aid package," Tribune News Service, May 10, 2022.

Lode Dewaegheneire+, "Comment la Belgique peut arrêter les robots tueurs," Le Soir, May 9, 2022.

Allison Pytlak+, "Report from the ATT working group and preparatory meetings: The Horrific Harms of Selling Arms," ATT Monitor, Reaching Critical Will, May 5, 2022.

William Hartung+, "Don’t Overinflate the Pentagon Budget," Defense One, May 5, 2022.

Jeff Abramson, 
"Cluster Munitions Use in Ukraine Spurs U.S. Debate," Arms Control Today, May 2022.

Rachel Stohl and Elias Yousif+, "Taking Stock of ATT Reporting Trends and Challenges," Stimson Center, April 2022.

Annie Shiel and Sarah Yager, "Congressional Action on Civilian Harm Resulting from U.S. Military Operations: Part I," Just Security, April 28, 2022. 

Ray Acheson, "Intersessional meeting on autonomous weapons highlights two paths forward, and the urgency of action," CCW Report, Reaching Critical Will, April 28, 2022.

William Hartung+, "​Putting Biden’s new whopping $33B Ukraine package into context" Responsible Statecraft, April 28, 2022.

Rachel Stohl, "​Why is the Biden Administration Still Silent on Arms Trade Treaty?," Stimson Center, April 27, 2022.

William Hartung, "​Global military spending tops $2 trillion for the first time," Responsible Statecraft, April 25, 2022.


Amy J. Nelson, "How Emerging Technology IS Breaking Arms Control," Lawfare, April 24, 2022. 

William Hartung+, "The New Gold Rush: How Pentagon Contractors Are Cashing in on the Ukraine Crisis," Tom Dispatch, April 17, 2022.

Gabriel Mondragón Toledo (emerging expert), "German Arms Exports- A History of Restraint?" Inkstick, April 19, 2022.

Ray Acheson
, "The political declaration on explosive weapon use must protect civilians, not militaries," Researching Critical Will, April 14, 2022.


Doug Weir+, "Do mention the war: Why conservation NGOs must speak out on biodiversity and conflicts," Conflict and Environment Observatory, April 11, 2022.

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John Lindsay-Poland+, "Equipped for War: Exposing Militarized Policing in California," AFSC, April 2022.

Afrah Nasser, "US Assistance to Saudi-Led Coalition Risks Complicity in War Crimes," The Yemen Review, March 2022, Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, April 7, 2022.

Francesco Vignarca, "Armi esenti da IVA in UE?”, alcuni chiarimenti," Francesco Vignarca - Tracce, April 6, 2022.

Allison Pytlak+, "Cyber Peace & Security Monitor: Vo. 2 No.," Reaching Critical Will, April 5, 2022.

Erin Hunt+, "New Report: Abandoned Africa? Canada's Funding for Mine Action in Africa," Mines Action Canada, April 2022.

Iain Overton+, "Explosive Violence Monitor: 2021," Action on Armed Violence, launched April 5, 2022.

View the full list of recent and past publications featuring Forum on the Arms Trade-listed experts.

Arms Transfers to Ukraine

More than two dozen countries have announced or delivered weapons to Ukraine. See our resource page to track continually updated developments. 
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Notification Tracker

Recent FMS notifications: May 19 - Egypt $691 million for five thousand plus  (5,070) TOW 2A anti-armor missiles  April 24 - Ukraine $165 million for ammunition (as an emergency, bypassing Congressional review) April 19 - Australia $42 million for tactical radio systems April 14 - Nigeria $997 million for twelve (12) AH-1Z attack helicopters and related weapons April 8 - Argentina $73 million for T-6 aircraft sustainment April 5 - Taiwan $95 million for technical assistance for Patriot systems April 4 - Bulgaria $1.673 billion for 8 (eight) F-16 fighter aircraft and their weapons March 29 - United Kingdom $368.53 million for Tomahawk follow-on support March 24 - Bahrain $175.98 million for upgrades to Multiple Launch Rocket Systems March 17 - United Kingdom $700 million for ballistic missile defense radar  March 15 - Spain $950 million for 8 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters February 22 - Kuwait $1 billion for headquarters construction, Australia $122 millions for  aircraft countermeasures  February 17 - Poland $6.0 billion for 250 Abrams tanks February 10 - Indonesia $13.9 billion for 36 F-15s February 8- Jordan $70 million for 100+ rockets February 7- Taiwan $100.0 million for Patriot system support for five years February 3- Jordan $4.21 billion for 16 F-16s and armaments/bombs, UAE $65 million for missile defense spares/repairs, Saudi Arabia $23.7 million for communications and navigation terminals for missile defense systems January 25 - Egypt $2.2 billion for 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and $355 million for 3 air defense radars  January 14 - France $88 million for MQ-9 sensor pod suites January 12 - Greece $233 million for engine maintenance (for F-16s)  January 7 - France $300 million for MQ-9 (Reaper drone) follow on support   see resource 
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Latest "This Week in Arms Trade Publications"

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​Click image above for the latest collection of publications by Forum-listed experts, and other updates on arms trade, security assistance and weapons use. Sign up to receive directly via email and check archived editions here. 

U.S. Arms Exports Under Congressional Notification Thresholds

Under U.S. law, Congress must be notified of certain potential arms exports when their value reaches a minimum threshold. There are, however, arms exports that fail to meet that threshold, and it is very difficult to assess the number and amount of such "under threshold" transfers. There is evidence, however, that the value of U.S. weapons delivered internationally that were not notified to Congress beforehand is in the tens of billions, creating a transparency and public knowledge challenge in understanding U.S. arms trade practice and its impact.
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U.S. Arms Sales to Israel

In late September and early October 2021, the House and Senate considered various measures to fund Iron Dome supplies. On July 30, a new notification of a possible $3.4 billion foreign military sale was notified to Congress, including 18 heavy lift helicopters and other equipment. 
On May 5, the Biden administration notified Congress of a possible direct commercial sale of $735 million in precision-guided weapons to Israel, which became controversial as fighting in Israel intensified and the notification became more broadly public around May 17. Members of Congress introduced resolutions of disapproval. On May 21, the licenses were approved. On June 8, more than 120 organizations sent a letter to the President encouraging him to block delivery.
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Meet the Emerging Experts

Emerging experts have expressed an interest in addressing the humanitarian, economic and other implications of arms transfers, security assistance, and weapons use...and are at an early stage in their career. Our latest cohort was announced June 15.  Meet them here.
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The Forum is based at the Arms Control Association. Partners are not responsible for the work of the Forum nor does
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