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Annual Conference 2020
Please hold Tuesday, January 14, 2020 for the next Forum on the Arms Trade annual conference. More details coming soon.
DATE: January 14, 2020
TIME: to be determined - likely 11:30AM - 5:30PM
LOCATION: Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
EVENT ARCHIVE
2019
- May 14 - Progress Without U.S. Leadership? Humanitarian Disarmament
- March 5 - Press Briefing on Firearms Export Control
- Oct 13-14 - Humanitarian Disarmament Forum:Humanitarian Disarmament Tools (New York City)
- May 22 - Annual Conference - Taking Aim: A Closer Look at the Global Arms Trade
- April 5 - Jobs, Security, and Human Rights: Striking a Balance in U.S. Arms Export Policy
- November 2 - Tackling Corruption in the Arms Trade
- May 3 - Media Briefing - Trends in U.S. Foreign Military Training
- April 5 - Corruption, Jobs and the Arms Trade: Indefensible Book Launch and Panel
- February 28- The Global Arms Trade: Assessing Trends and Future Outlook
- April 22 - What to Control: Regulating U.S. Sales of Private Military Contractors Abroad
- April 6 - Global Military Spending and the Arms Trade: Trends & Implications
- October 20 - Crisis in Yemen - Humanitarians & Security Consequences of Military Support to the Region
- May 19 - Media Briefing - Middle East Security Assistance & Report Pre-Release Information
- April 23 - Assessing Proposed U.S. Security Assistance to Africa, Latin America and the Middle East
- April 7 - Tracking Arms in Conflict: Lessons from Syria & Iraq
- March 16 - Global Arms Trade, Recent Trends & Looking Ahead
Progress Without U.S. Leadership? Humanitarian Disarmament
DATE: Tuesday, May 14, 2019
TIME: 2:00-3:30 PM (EDT)
LOCATION: James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies
1400 K Street, NW, Suite 1225
Washington, D.C. 20005
At a time when U.S. leadership on multilateral and international efforts is drawn into question, humanitarian disarmament approaches may provide a model for progress.
Humanitarian disarmament, which puts human security at its core, is led by a civil society partnership with states and international organizations. It can set and advance norms that save many lives and impact the behavior of non-state and state actors, including the United States -- often without or contrary to U.S. government leadership efforts. This event brings together campaign leaders to provide a way for examining humanitarian disarmament broadly. It also will look in-depth at recent successes and challenges related to landmines and cluster munitions, nuclear weapons, and killer robots (aka lethal autonomous weapons) – campaigns related to two of which earned Nobel Peace Prizes in 1997 and 2017.
This event is organized by the Forum on the Arms Trade and co-sponsored by the Center for International Policy and International Coalition to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Please bring photo identification for entry to the event.
Panelists:
- Hector Guerra, Director, International Campaign to Ban Landmines-Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBL-CMC)
- Mary Wareham, Advocacy Director, Arms Division, Human Rights Watch and Global Coordinator, Campaign to Stop Killer Robots
- Seth Shelden, United Nations Liaison, International Coalition to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
- Mica Bevington, U.S. Director of Marketing and Communications, Humanity & Inclusion (moderator)
Press Briefing on Firearms Export Reform
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Tuesday, March 5 at 3:30PM (US EST)
On Feb. 4, the Trump administration presented to Congress new rules for the international sale of military-style firearms that could make it easier to export the gun violence and weapons used in mass shootings. The changes, which could have been officially published the first week of March if not for a temporary hold, would remove Congress from its oversight role, and threaten to aid terrorists and criminals. |
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The Forum on the Arms Trade invited media to join-in for a press tele-conference where Representatives Norma Torres (D-CA) and James McGovern (D-MA) to discuss their concerns about the proposed changes and their efforts via measures such as H.R. 1134. Civil society experts will add their analysis and also be available for questions.
Audio is available here.
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Audio is available here.
Select quotes below:
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SPEAKERS:
SELECT RESOURCES:
H.R. 1134 - Prevent Crime and Terrorism Act of 2019 (introduced Feb. 8)Press Releases
- Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA)
- Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA)
- Kris Brown, President, Brady
- Jeff Abramson, Senior Fellow, Arms Control Association
- Kristen Rand, Legislative Director, Violence Policy Center
- John Lindsay-Poland, Coordinator, Project to Stop U.S. Arms to Mexico
SELECT RESOURCES:
H.R. 1134 - Prevent Crime and Terrorism Act of 2019 (introduced Feb. 8)Press Releases
- Torres, Engel Introduce Bill to Block Trump Administration Proposal to Deregulate Firearm Exports, Feb. 8
- Torres, Engel Statement on Trump Administration Firearms Export Rule Change, Feb 1
- Resource Page - proposed changes, Congressional actions, expert commentary and other information
Humanitarian Disarmament Forum: Humanitarian Disarmament Tools
DATE: October 13-14, 2018
LOCATION: Church Center, New York City
Approximately 80 people participated in the “2018 Humanitarian Disarmament Forum: Humanitarian Disarmament Tools,” the seventh annual “Forum” that gathered members of the non-governmental humanitarian disarmament community to examine opportunities and challenges facing their common work and facilitate a cross-cutting discussion among different campaigns and efforts. A special emphasis was placed on exploring the wide range of tools available to the humanitarian disarmament community (see agenda).
The Forum on the Arms Trade partnered with the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) to co-host the 2018 Humanitarian Disarmament Forum, and co-funded it together with contributions from Human Rights Watch, Humanity & Inclusion, and PAX.
LOCATION: Church Center, New York City
Approximately 80 people participated in the “2018 Humanitarian Disarmament Forum: Humanitarian Disarmament Tools,” the seventh annual “Forum” that gathered members of the non-governmental humanitarian disarmament community to examine opportunities and challenges facing their common work and facilitate a cross-cutting discussion among different campaigns and efforts. A special emphasis was placed on exploring the wide range of tools available to the humanitarian disarmament community (see agenda).
The Forum on the Arms Trade partnered with the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) to co-host the 2018 Humanitarian Disarmament Forum, and co-funded it together with contributions from Human Rights Watch, Humanity & Inclusion, and PAX.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
Taking Aim: A Closer Look at the Global Arms Trade
DATE: May 22, 2018
TIME: 11:30 AM - 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
The inaugural Forum on the Arms Trade annual conference, "Taking Aim: A Closer Look at the Global Arms Trade," was a half-day event held on May 22, 2018 at the Stimson Center.
Video of the conference is available below and at https://youtu.be/_ID-CYWUooA Photos are available here.
Senator Chris Murphy's keynote remarks begin at 1:00:55 in the video, during which he discussed a range of issues related to the arms trade, Yemen, and gun violence.
The first panel, "Living with the Arms Trade: Perspective from Conflict Area" (at 10:00 in the video, and then restarting at 1:34:00) featured:
Experts listed by the Forum on the Arms Trade will continue to be a resource on these and many issues. You can find out more about them here. If you are not already on the Forum's newsletter list, you may be added shortly. If you would rather not be included in those communications (approximately 3-4 emails per month), please feel free to email me directly to opt out.
The conference was co-hosted by the Stimson Center, Center for Civilians in Conflict, and the Security Assistance Monitor.
TIME: 11:30 AM - 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
The inaugural Forum on the Arms Trade annual conference, "Taking Aim: A Closer Look at the Global Arms Trade," was a half-day event held on May 22, 2018 at the Stimson Center.
Video of the conference is available below and at https://youtu.be/_ID-CYWUooA Photos are available here.
Senator Chris Murphy's keynote remarks begin at 1:00:55 in the video, during which he discussed a range of issues related to the arms trade, Yemen, and gun violence.
The first panel, "Living with the Arms Trade: Perspective from Conflict Area" (at 10:00 in the video, and then restarting at 1:34:00) featured:
- Radhya Almutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana Organization for Human Rights (Yemen) - see recent annual report
- John Ismay, Conflict Reporter, New York Times; former U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer - see article today on firearms export change
- Andrea Prasow, Deputy Washington Director, Human Rights Watch - see Afghanistan video and investigation discussed during conference
- Rahma A. Hussein (moderator), Legal Fellow, Counterterrorism, Armed Conflict and Human Rights Project, Columbia Law School - see related Perspective from Impacted Countries series
- Michael F. Miller, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State - see new conventional arms transfer policy and firearms export regulations discussed (see also related Forum on the arms trade resources here and here)
- Shannon N. Green, Senior Director of Programs, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC); former Senior Director for Global Engagement, National Security Council - see CIVIC/Stimson report"With Great Power: Modifying US Arms Sales to Reduce Civilian Harm"
- Stephen Watts, Senior Political Scientist, RAND Corporation - discussed research on the risk associated with and effectiveness of security assistance
- Colby Goodman (moderator), Director, Security Assistance Monitor - see the website and related database for multiple resources.
Experts listed by the Forum on the Arms Trade will continue to be a resource on these and many issues. You can find out more about them here. If you are not already on the Forum's newsletter list, you may be added shortly. If you would rather not be included in those communications (approximately 3-4 emails per month), please feel free to email me directly to opt out.
The conference was co-hosted by the Stimson Center, Center for Civilians in Conflict, and the Security Assistance Monitor.
Jobs, Security, and Human Rights: Striking a Balance in U.S. Arms Export Policy
DATE: Thursday, April 5, 2018
TIME: 10:00 AM -11:30 AM (90 minutes)
LOCATION: Center for International Policy, 2000 M Street NW, Basement Conf. Room A, Washington, DC 20036C, 20036
Join leading experts in this event, which will seek to answer two main questions: 1) Are arms exports the best way to create jobs in the United States?; and 2) How should the administration and the Congress balance economic, strategic, and human rights factors to ensure that U.S. arms exports are serving U.S. and global security interests?
Authors of two recent research reports will discuss relevant findings as part of the discussion. See CIVIC/Stimson's "With Great Power: Modifying US Arms Sales to Reduce Civilian Harm," and Security Assistance Monitor's "Trends in Major U.S. Arms Sales in 2017: A Comparison of the Obama and Trump Administrations."
This was co-hosted by the Security Assistance Monitor and Forum on the Arms Trade. See video below.
Featuring:
William Hartung, Director, Arms and Security Project, Center for International Policy
Rachel Stohl, Managing Director, Stimson Center
Veronique de Rugy, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center, George Mason University
Respondent: Aaron Mehta, Senior Pentagon Correspondent, Defense News
TIME: 10:00 AM -11:30 AM (90 minutes)
LOCATION: Center for International Policy, 2000 M Street NW, Basement Conf. Room A, Washington, DC 20036C, 20036
Join leading experts in this event, which will seek to answer two main questions: 1) Are arms exports the best way to create jobs in the United States?; and 2) How should the administration and the Congress balance economic, strategic, and human rights factors to ensure that U.S. arms exports are serving U.S. and global security interests?
Authors of two recent research reports will discuss relevant findings as part of the discussion. See CIVIC/Stimson's "With Great Power: Modifying US Arms Sales to Reduce Civilian Harm," and Security Assistance Monitor's "Trends in Major U.S. Arms Sales in 2017: A Comparison of the Obama and Trump Administrations."
This was co-hosted by the Security Assistance Monitor and Forum on the Arms Trade. See video below.
Featuring:
William Hartung, Director, Arms and Security Project, Center for International Policy
Rachel Stohl, Managing Director, Stimson Center
Veronique de Rugy, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center, George Mason University
Respondent: Aaron Mehta, Senior Pentagon Correspondent, Defense News
Tackling Corruption in the Arms Trade
DATE: Thursday, November 2 2017
TIME: 10:00-11:30AM
LOCATION: Center for International Policy
2000 M St NW, Basement Conference Room A,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred. Check out these key resources:
As the Trump Administration seeks record U.S. arms sales and renewed military engagement in places such as Afghanistan, there are increased risks of corruption undermining U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. Globally, the arms trade is highly prone to corruption, and there have been several high-profile cases in U.S. courts of bribery in the defense sector.
While U.S. law enforcement is increasing its efforts under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, it appears U.S. regulators are weakening some key anti-corruption measures. This will put extra pressure on the U.S. officials and companies that are attempting to address domestic and foreign corruption as well as to ensure weapons transfers are not diverted to criminal or terrorist organizations.
Experts with experience in U.S. export enforcement, tracking the U.S. and global arms trade and corruption, and U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan will discuss these challenges and trends. They will also offer new recommendations on what can be done to counter corruption in the arms trade.
Speakers:
This event is co-hosted by the World Peace Foundation, Security Assistance Monitor, and the Forum on the Arms Trade.
TIME: 10:00-11:30AM
LOCATION: Center for International Policy
2000 M St NW, Basement Conference Room A,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred. Check out these key resources:
- Steve Pelak presentation - A Few Observations on Part 130 of the ITAR
- Compendium of Arms Trade Corruption - including interactive map
- Photos
As the Trump Administration seeks record U.S. arms sales and renewed military engagement in places such as Afghanistan, there are increased risks of corruption undermining U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. Globally, the arms trade is highly prone to corruption, and there have been several high-profile cases in U.S. courts of bribery in the defense sector.
While U.S. law enforcement is increasing its efforts under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, it appears U.S. regulators are weakening some key anti-corruption measures. This will put extra pressure on the U.S. officials and companies that are attempting to address domestic and foreign corruption as well as to ensure weapons transfers are not diverted to criminal or terrorist organizations.
Experts with experience in U.S. export enforcement, tracking the U.S. and global arms trade and corruption, and U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan will discuss these challenges and trends. They will also offer new recommendations on what can be done to counter corruption in the arms trade.
Speakers:
- Sam Perlo-Freeman, Program Manager, Global Arms and Corruption, World Peace Foundation
- Steve Pelak, Partner, Holland and Hart; former Department of Justice National Coordinator Export Control/Economic Sanctions Enforcement
- Lt. Col. (ret.) Jodi Vittori, Senior Policy Advisor, Global Witness; former member of NATO counter-corruption task force in Afghanistan
- Colby Goodman, Director, Security Assistance Monitor (moderator)
This event is co-hosted by the World Peace Foundation, Security Assistance Monitor, and the Forum on the Arms Trade.
Media Briefing – Trends in U.S. Foreign Military Training and Report Pre-Release Information - May 3
Where: Teleconference, Washington-DC based
When: Wednesday, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM (US Eastern Daylight Time)
This event has occurred. Read the report here.
The Forum on the Arms Trade invites media to a private teleconference briefing on Wednesday, May 3 at 11:30 AM EDT to discuss new, global trends in U.S. foreign military training in connection with the Security Assistance Monitor’s (SAM) upcoming report launch. Participants will also receive an overview of SAM’s newly designed Military Trainees database.
The United States significantly increased foreign military training in FY 2015, growing from 56,346 trainees in FY 2014 to 79,865 trainees in FY 2015, to address a wide range of shared security threats. This increase was driven largely by a growth in U.S. military training to some countries in Africa, Eurasia, and the Middle East. There was also a jump in U.S. training focused on peacekeeping, counter-narcotics, operating U.S. weapons systems, cyber security, maritime operations, and rule of law.
Experts will provide details on why the U.S. government increased training on these issues. They will also describe how the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to peacekeeping, weapon’s maintenance programs, counter-narcotics, and other security aid efforts could change future U.S. security assistance efforts.
Featuring:
The Forum on the Arms Trade hosts media briefings designed to give journalists an opportunity to discuss hot topics and get a preview of upcoming research findings. Briefings feature 2-3 Forum on the Arms Trade-listed experts who will speak for no more than 20 minutes total and then field questions for the remainder of the hour. In this instance, comments from the briefing are embargoed until the launch of the featured report at 12:01 AM on May 4.
Experts listed by the Forum do not necessarily endorse the views and opinions of others. The briefing is not an endorsement of the SAM report, but rather an opportunity for media to receive information and ask questions.
When: Wednesday, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM (US Eastern Daylight Time)
This event has occurred. Read the report here.
The Forum on the Arms Trade invites media to a private teleconference briefing on Wednesday, May 3 at 11:30 AM EDT to discuss new, global trends in U.S. foreign military training in connection with the Security Assistance Monitor’s (SAM) upcoming report launch. Participants will also receive an overview of SAM’s newly designed Military Trainees database.
The United States significantly increased foreign military training in FY 2015, growing from 56,346 trainees in FY 2014 to 79,865 trainees in FY 2015, to address a wide range of shared security threats. This increase was driven largely by a growth in U.S. military training to some countries in Africa, Eurasia, and the Middle East. There was also a jump in U.S. training focused on peacekeeping, counter-narcotics, operating U.S. weapons systems, cyber security, maritime operations, and rule of law.
Experts will provide details on why the U.S. government increased training on these issues. They will also describe how the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to peacekeeping, weapon’s maintenance programs, counter-narcotics, and other security aid efforts could change future U.S. security assistance efforts.
Featuring:
- Colby Goodman Director, Security Assistance Monitor
- Adam Isacson Senior Associate for Defense Oversight, Washington Office on Latin America
- Jeff Abramson (moderator) Senior Fellow, Arms Control Association (coordinator, Forum on the Arms Trade)
The Forum on the Arms Trade hosts media briefings designed to give journalists an opportunity to discuss hot topics and get a preview of upcoming research findings. Briefings feature 2-3 Forum on the Arms Trade-listed experts who will speak for no more than 20 minutes total and then field questions for the remainder of the hour. In this instance, comments from the briefing are embargoed until the launch of the featured report at 12:01 AM on May 4.
Experts listed by the Forum do not necessarily endorse the views and opinions of others. The briefing is not an endorsement of the SAM report, but rather an opportunity for media to receive information and ask questions.
EVENT: Corruption, Jobs, and the Arms Trade:
Indefensible Book Launch and Panel Discussion
DATE: Wednesday, April 5, 2017
TIME: 9:30-11:00AM (light breakfast prior to event)
LOCATION: The Open Society Foundations,
1730 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, 7th Floor,
Washington DC, 20006
This event has occurred. Audio available here. See photos here.
Buoyed by promises of a massive U.S. military buildup, arms industry stocks have skyrocketed since the 2016 presidential election. The proposed increases in defense spending have been sold to the American public as a win-win policy: more military spending not only benefits national security, but will help drive economic growth and job creation.
Indefensible: Seven Myths that Sustain the Global Arms Trade, a book and web project of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts, critically examines the U.S. and global arms industry--in particular the public corruption it so often engenders at home and abroad. Bringing together a experts and activists, Indefensible deploys statistics, case studies, and evidence to pierce common beliefs about the arms trade. Far from protecting the United States or driving job creation, this collective finds that poorly overseen and bloated military spending actually undermines security and stifles economic growth.
An expert panel discusses the risks and tradeoffs of President Trump’s proposed military buildup and budget rebalancing away from international assistance and foreign aid, not just for American democracy but also for the U.S. economy and national security.
Speakers:
*Member of the Indefensible collective.
This event was co-hosted by the World Peace Foundation, Open Society Foundations and the Forum on the Arms Trade.
TIME: 9:30-11:00AM (light breakfast prior to event)
LOCATION: The Open Society Foundations,
1730 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, 7th Floor,
Washington DC, 20006
This event has occurred. Audio available here. See photos here.
Buoyed by promises of a massive U.S. military buildup, arms industry stocks have skyrocketed since the 2016 presidential election. The proposed increases in defense spending have been sold to the American public as a win-win policy: more military spending not only benefits national security, but will help drive economic growth and job creation.
Indefensible: Seven Myths that Sustain the Global Arms Trade, a book and web project of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts, critically examines the U.S. and global arms industry--in particular the public corruption it so often engenders at home and abroad. Bringing together a experts and activists, Indefensible deploys statistics, case studies, and evidence to pierce common beliefs about the arms trade. Far from protecting the United States or driving job creation, this collective finds that poorly overseen and bloated military spending actually undermines security and stifles economic growth.
An expert panel discusses the risks and tradeoffs of President Trump’s proposed military buildup and budget rebalancing away from international assistance and foreign aid, not just for American democracy but also for the U.S. economy and national security.
Speakers:
- Bridget Conley*, Research Director, World Peace Foundation and Assistant Research Professor, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
- William Hartung*, Director, Arms and Security Project, Center for International Policy
- Sarah Chayes, Senior Fellow, Democracy and Rule of Law Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Mark Thompson, National Security Analyst, Project on Government Oversight
*Member of the Indefensible collective.
This event was co-hosted by the World Peace Foundation, Open Society Foundations and the Forum on the Arms Trade.
EVENT: The Global Arms Trade: Assessing Trends and Future Outlook
DATE: Tuesday, February 28, 2017
TIME: 9:30-11:00 AM
LOCATION: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred. Jump to video.
Changing political landscapes in the United States, Europe, and Russia continue to drive global arms sales. As priorities shift, threats emerge, and the global economy fluctuates, the global arms market responds. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) annually releases data on international arms transfers. SIPRI’s renowned arms transfers database identifies top exporters and importers of conventional weapons and provides insights into the resulting trends as they relate to global peace, security and development.
Please join the Stimson Center on February 28, 2017 for an expert discussion on SIPRI’s most recent data on global arms transfers. Panelists will discuss trends and outlooks for global arms sales that could impact U.S. national security and foreign policy. This event is co-hosted by SIPRI, the Forum on the Arms Trade, and the Stimson Center.
Featuring:
Aude Fleurant, Director, Arms and Military Expenditure Programme, SIPRI
Joe Gould, Congress reporter, Defense News
Rachel Stohl, Senior Associate, Stimson Center
For news and information on the event, follow: @StimsonCenter @ForumArmsTrade @SIPRIorg @jeffabramson @rachelstohl
TIME: 9:30-11:00 AM
LOCATION: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred. Jump to video.
Changing political landscapes in the United States, Europe, and Russia continue to drive global arms sales. As priorities shift, threats emerge, and the global economy fluctuates, the global arms market responds. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) annually releases data on international arms transfers. SIPRI’s renowned arms transfers database identifies top exporters and importers of conventional weapons and provides insights into the resulting trends as they relate to global peace, security and development.
Please join the Stimson Center on February 28, 2017 for an expert discussion on SIPRI’s most recent data on global arms transfers. Panelists will discuss trends and outlooks for global arms sales that could impact U.S. national security and foreign policy. This event is co-hosted by SIPRI, the Forum on the Arms Trade, and the Stimson Center.
Featuring:
Aude Fleurant, Director, Arms and Military Expenditure Programme, SIPRI
Joe Gould, Congress reporter, Defense News
Rachel Stohl, Senior Associate, Stimson Center
For news and information on the event, follow: @StimsonCenter @ForumArmsTrade @SIPRIorg @jeffabramson @rachelstohl
EVENT: What to Control: Regulating U.S. Sales of Private Military Contractors Abroad
DATE: Friday, April 22, 2016
TIME: 10:00-11:30 AM
LOCATION: Open Societies Foundation, 1730 Pennsylvania Ave, #700
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred.
In June 2015, the Obama Administration published a proposed rule that seeks to reduce oversight of many types of U.S. Private Security Contractor (PSC) services abroad as part of its “Export Control Reform Initiative.” While the rule may fit within the initiative’s goals of focusing U.S. oversight on items and services that provide a critical military or intelligence advantage, it has raised many questions. What are the range of services PSCs provide to foreign governments directly? Would the U.S. lose oversight of services that could harm U.S. interests? Please join us for a conversation on this important topic.
This event is hosted in partnership with the Security Assistance Monitor, Forum on the Arms Trade and the University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies' Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security & Diplomacy.
Featuring:
Deborah Avant, Chair and Director, Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver
Chris Mayer, Director, Armed Contingency Contractor Policies and Programs, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
Private Security Company Representative (Invited)
Colby Goodman, Director, Security Assistance Monitor, Center for International Policy (moderator)
TIME: 10:00-11:30 AM
LOCATION: Open Societies Foundation, 1730 Pennsylvania Ave, #700
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred.
In June 2015, the Obama Administration published a proposed rule that seeks to reduce oversight of many types of U.S. Private Security Contractor (PSC) services abroad as part of its “Export Control Reform Initiative.” While the rule may fit within the initiative’s goals of focusing U.S. oversight on items and services that provide a critical military or intelligence advantage, it has raised many questions. What are the range of services PSCs provide to foreign governments directly? Would the U.S. lose oversight of services that could harm U.S. interests? Please join us for a conversation on this important topic.
This event is hosted in partnership with the Security Assistance Monitor, Forum on the Arms Trade and the University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies' Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security & Diplomacy.
Featuring:
Deborah Avant, Chair and Director, Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver
Chris Mayer, Director, Armed Contingency Contractor Policies and Programs, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
Private Security Company Representative (Invited)
Colby Goodman, Director, Security Assistance Monitor, Center for International Policy (moderator)
EVENT: Global Military Spending and the Arms Trade: Trends & Implications
DATE: Tuesday, April 5, 2016
TIME: 10:00-11:30 AM
LOCATION: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred. Jump to video.
Global military expenditure and the international arms trade are driven by changing economic circumstances, shifting priorities, emerging security threats, and regional and international instability. Examining the recent trends in the global arms market and in the budgets of government militaries allows us to identify potential hot-spots and future areas of concern.
Each year, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) releases data on current trends in military spending and international arms transfers. SIPRI’s Military Expenditure Database contains information on defense spending by almost all countries, and monitors broader trends that emerge over time. Likewise, SIPRI’s arms transfers database identifies top exporters and importers of conventional weapons. Drawn from open source documents, SIPRI’s databases provides analysis on the economic, political and security drivers that influence military spending around the world and offers insights into their implications for global peace, security and development.
Please join us on April 5, 2016 to discuss the findings of SIPRI’s most recent data and the potential implications on U.S. national security and foreign policy. This event will present major findings and key trends in global military expenditures and international arms sales.
This event is co-hosted by SIPRI, the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Stimson Center.
Featuring:
Aude Fleurant, Director, Arms and Military Expenditure Programme, SIPRI
Gordon Adams, Distinguished Fellow, Stimson Center
Aaron Mehta, Senior Pentagon Correspondent, Defense News
Rachel Stohl (moderator), Senior Associate, Stimson Center
For news and information on the event, follow: @StimsonCenter @ForumArmsTrade @SIPRIorg @jeffabramson @rachelstohl
TIME: 10:00-11:30 AM
LOCATION: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred. Jump to video.
Global military expenditure and the international arms trade are driven by changing economic circumstances, shifting priorities, emerging security threats, and regional and international instability. Examining the recent trends in the global arms market and in the budgets of government militaries allows us to identify potential hot-spots and future areas of concern.
Each year, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) releases data on current trends in military spending and international arms transfers. SIPRI’s Military Expenditure Database contains information on defense spending by almost all countries, and monitors broader trends that emerge over time. Likewise, SIPRI’s arms transfers database identifies top exporters and importers of conventional weapons. Drawn from open source documents, SIPRI’s databases provides analysis on the economic, political and security drivers that influence military spending around the world and offers insights into their implications for global peace, security and development.
Please join us on April 5, 2016 to discuss the findings of SIPRI’s most recent data and the potential implications on U.S. national security and foreign policy. This event will present major findings and key trends in global military expenditures and international arms sales.
This event is co-hosted by SIPRI, the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Stimson Center.
Featuring:
Aude Fleurant, Director, Arms and Military Expenditure Programme, SIPRI
Gordon Adams, Distinguished Fellow, Stimson Center
Aaron Mehta, Senior Pentagon Correspondent, Defense News
Rachel Stohl (moderator), Senior Associate, Stimson Center
For news and information on the event, follow: @StimsonCenter @ForumArmsTrade @SIPRIorg @jeffabramson @rachelstohl
EVENT: Crisis in Yemen - Humanitarian and Security Consequences of Military Support to the Region
Click to launch video in a new window.
DATE: Tuesday, October 20, 2015
TIME: 10:00-11:30AM
LOCATION: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred. See resources:
A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Yemen, one of the Middle East's poorest nations. The United States and other Western powers have supported the Saudi-led coalition as it battles Yemen's Houthis, promising more assistance in the future but at the risk of strengthening forces such as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. An expert panel will look at the situation in Yemen today and the politics and consequences of adding additional military equipment to the conflict.
William Hartung, Director, Arms and Security Project, Center for International Policy and advisor to Security Assistance Monitor will review the history of US weapons and security assistance to the region, and discuss the likely impact of additional supplies that are in process or under consideration.
Martin Butcher, Policy Advisor, Arms and Conflict, Oxfam International, will discuss how the United Kingdom and other European countries have supplied military assistance to the region and the ongoing public reaction to plans to increase that assistance in light of human rights concerns.
Tariq Riebl, Response and Resilience Team Program Coordinator, Oxfam, will join via skype
to discuss the humanitarian situation in Yemen, drawing upon his work on the ground coordinating relief efforts.
This event is co-hosted by the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Security Assistance Monitor.
Media are especially encouraged to attend.
Featuring:
William Hartung, Director, Arms and Security Project, Center for International Policy
Martin Butcher, Policy Advisor, Arms and Conflict, Oxfam International
Tariq Riebl, Response and Resilience Team Program Coordinator, Oxfam
Moderator: Natalie Goldring, Adjunct Professor and Senior Fellow, Security Studies Program, Georgetown University
TIME: 10:00-11:30AM
LOCATION: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred. See resources:
- Findings and Comments (pdf)
- U.S. Arms Transfers to the Middle East: Promoting Stability or Fueling Conflict? - William Hartung's commentary (blog)
- Video of the event - link
A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Yemen, one of the Middle East's poorest nations. The United States and other Western powers have supported the Saudi-led coalition as it battles Yemen's Houthis, promising more assistance in the future but at the risk of strengthening forces such as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. An expert panel will look at the situation in Yemen today and the politics and consequences of adding additional military equipment to the conflict.
William Hartung, Director, Arms and Security Project, Center for International Policy and advisor to Security Assistance Monitor will review the history of US weapons and security assistance to the region, and discuss the likely impact of additional supplies that are in process or under consideration.
Martin Butcher, Policy Advisor, Arms and Conflict, Oxfam International, will discuss how the United Kingdom and other European countries have supplied military assistance to the region and the ongoing public reaction to plans to increase that assistance in light of human rights concerns.
Tariq Riebl, Response and Resilience Team Program Coordinator, Oxfam, will join via skype
to discuss the humanitarian situation in Yemen, drawing upon his work on the ground coordinating relief efforts.
This event is co-hosted by the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Security Assistance Monitor.
Media are especially encouraged to attend.
Featuring:
William Hartung, Director, Arms and Security Project, Center for International Policy
Martin Butcher, Policy Advisor, Arms and Conflict, Oxfam International
Tariq Riebl, Response and Resilience Team Program Coordinator, Oxfam
Moderator: Natalie Goldring, Adjunct Professor and Senior Fellow, Security Studies Program, Georgetown University
Media Briefing - Middle East Security Assistance and Report Pre-Release Information - May 19
Where: Teleconference, Washington-DC based
When: Tuesday May 19, 11:00 AM-noon (US Eastern Daylight Time) – RSVP required to receive call-in number, contact jeff at ForumArmsTrade [dot] org
This event has occurred.
The Forum on the Arms Trade invites media to a teleconference briefing on Tuesday, May 19 at 11:00 AM EDT to discuss arms trade and security assistance issues related to the Middle East, and receive an embargoed briefing on the pending Project on the Middle East (POMED) report The Federal Budget and Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016: Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights in the Middle East (see also public May 21 -- details here).
As a region mired in multiple conflicts—protracted civil wars in Syria and Libya, the rise of the Islamic State, and surges of conflict and violence in Yemen—experts will discuss U.S. funding and assistance for democracy and governance in the Middle East, the congressional appropriations process, and implications for U.S. policy in the Middle East during a turbulent time.
Featuring:
Cole Bockenfeld
Advocacy Director, Project on Middle East Democracy – report co-author
Todd Ruffner
Advocacy Associate, Project on Middle East Democracy
Jeff Abramson (moderator)
Founder, Forum on the Arms Trade
The Forum on the Arms Trade hosts media briefings designed to give journalists an opportunity to discuss hot topics and get a preview of upcoming research findings. Briefings feature 2-3 Forum on the Arms Trade-listed experts who will speak for no more than 20 minutes total and then field questions for the remainder of the hour. In this instance, comments from the briefing are embargoed until the launch of the featured report at 2PM on May 20.
Experts listed by the Forum do not necessarily endorse the views and opinions of others. The briefing is not an endorsement of the POMED report, but rather an opportunity for media to receive information and ask questions.
When: Tuesday May 19, 11:00 AM-noon (US Eastern Daylight Time) – RSVP required to receive call-in number, contact jeff at ForumArmsTrade [dot] org
This event has occurred.
The Forum on the Arms Trade invites media to a teleconference briefing on Tuesday, May 19 at 11:00 AM EDT to discuss arms trade and security assistance issues related to the Middle East, and receive an embargoed briefing on the pending Project on the Middle East (POMED) report The Federal Budget and Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016: Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights in the Middle East (see also public May 21 -- details here).
As a region mired in multiple conflicts—protracted civil wars in Syria and Libya, the rise of the Islamic State, and surges of conflict and violence in Yemen—experts will discuss U.S. funding and assistance for democracy and governance in the Middle East, the congressional appropriations process, and implications for U.S. policy in the Middle East during a turbulent time.
Featuring:
Cole Bockenfeld
Advocacy Director, Project on Middle East Democracy – report co-author
Todd Ruffner
Advocacy Associate, Project on Middle East Democracy
Jeff Abramson (moderator)
Founder, Forum on the Arms Trade
The Forum on the Arms Trade hosts media briefings designed to give journalists an opportunity to discuss hot topics and get a preview of upcoming research findings. Briefings feature 2-3 Forum on the Arms Trade-listed experts who will speak for no more than 20 minutes total and then field questions for the remainder of the hour. In this instance, comments from the briefing are embargoed until the launch of the featured report at 2PM on May 20.
Experts listed by the Forum do not necessarily endorse the views and opinions of others. The briefing is not an endorsement of the POMED report, but rather an opportunity for media to receive information and ask questions.
EVENT: Assessing Proposed U.S. Security Assistance to Africa, Latin America & Middle East
DATE: Thursday, April 23, 2015
TIME: 3:30 - 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Russell Senate Office Building - Room 385
This event has occurred. See factsheets:
With the proliferation of armed conflict in the Middle East, continued extremist violence in Africa, and ongoing struggles to improve stability in Latin America, the United States relies upon the provision of security assistance as a key tool to address real threats and challenges.
The latest budget proposed by the Obama administration envisions significant expenditures for the provision of weapons, military and police aid, training programs, or other activities to countries in all three regions. What is being proposed for 2016? What impact is US security assistance likely to have, and what concerns still need to be addressed?
On April 23, regional experts will discuss these questions as they assess the diverse security needs and proposed US assistance to the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
This event is co-organized by the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Security Assistance Monitor, a project of the Center for International Policy. It is hosted with cooperation of the Congressional African Staff Association.
Featuring:
TIME: 3:30 - 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Russell Senate Office Building - Room 385
This event has occurred. See factsheets:
- The Obama Administration's FY 2016 Request for Security Assistance - contact Colby Goodman
- Defense Budget Programs That Provide Assistance To Foreign Countries - contact Adam Isacson
With the proliferation of armed conflict in the Middle East, continued extremist violence in Africa, and ongoing struggles to improve stability in Latin America, the United States relies upon the provision of security assistance as a key tool to address real threats and challenges.
The latest budget proposed by the Obama administration envisions significant expenditures for the provision of weapons, military and police aid, training programs, or other activities to countries in all three regions. What is being proposed for 2016? What impact is US security assistance likely to have, and what concerns still need to be addressed?
On April 23, regional experts will discuss these questions as they assess the diverse security needs and proposed US assistance to the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
This event is co-organized by the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Security Assistance Monitor, a project of the Center for International Policy. It is hosted with cooperation of the Congressional African Staff Association.
Featuring:
- Cole Bockenfeld, Advocacy Director, Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED)
- Adam Isacson, Senior Associate for Regional Security Policy, WOLA
- Theo Sitther, Legislative Secretary for Peacebuilding Policy, FCNL
- Colby Goodman (moderator), Senior Research Associate, Security Assistance Monitor
EVENT: Tracking Arms in Conflict - Lessons from Syria & Iraq
Video courtesy of the Stimson Center. Click to launch video in a new window.
DATE: Tuesday, April 7, 2015
TIME: 11:00AM - noon
LOCATION: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred. Jump to factsheet.
Identifying and tracking weapons being used in armed conflicts is a dangerous but vital task. At times this is done by investigators on the ground, but often relies on footage and other evidence viewed from afar. On April 7, experts will discuss how they are tracking weapons used in Syria and Iraq, and share some of their recent findings.
Jonah Leff, Director of Operations, Conflict Armament Research, will report on findings based on documentation of nearly 40,000 weapons and ammunition as part of field investigations and the new iTrace system. He'll discuss the prevalence of U.S. weapons found among Islamic State fighters; findings of newly manufactured Russian, Iranian, and Sudanese ammunition; evidence of supply to Syrian rebels from Saudi Arabia; and large scale industrial production and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Syria and Iraq.
Matt Schroeder, Senior Researcher, Small Arms Survey, will share examples of using YouTube and other footage to track the increasing complexity of use of MANPADS (aka shoulder-fired missiles) by fighters in the Middle East.
This event is co-hosted by the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Stimson Center and is the third in a Stimson series on missing and illicit weapons. Previous events were held on missing weapons in Libya and the risk of unauthorized retransfers.
Media are especially encouraged to attend to learn more about how this important work is done.
Featuring:
Jonah Leff, Director of Operations, Conflict Armament Research
Matt Schroeder, Senior Researcher, Small Arms Survey
Moderator: Rachel Stohl, Senior Associate, Managing Across Boundaries, Stimson Center
TIME: 11:00AM - noon
LOCATION: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred. Jump to factsheet.
Identifying and tracking weapons being used in armed conflicts is a dangerous but vital task. At times this is done by investigators on the ground, but often relies on footage and other evidence viewed from afar. On April 7, experts will discuss how they are tracking weapons used in Syria and Iraq, and share some of their recent findings.
Jonah Leff, Director of Operations, Conflict Armament Research, will report on findings based on documentation of nearly 40,000 weapons and ammunition as part of field investigations and the new iTrace system. He'll discuss the prevalence of U.S. weapons found among Islamic State fighters; findings of newly manufactured Russian, Iranian, and Sudanese ammunition; evidence of supply to Syrian rebels from Saudi Arabia; and large scale industrial production and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Syria and Iraq.
Matt Schroeder, Senior Researcher, Small Arms Survey, will share examples of using YouTube and other footage to track the increasing complexity of use of MANPADS (aka shoulder-fired missiles) by fighters in the Middle East.
This event is co-hosted by the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Stimson Center and is the third in a Stimson series on missing and illicit weapons. Previous events were held on missing weapons in Libya and the risk of unauthorized retransfers.
Media are especially encouraged to attend to learn more about how this important work is done.
Featuring:
Jonah Leff, Director of Operations, Conflict Armament Research
Matt Schroeder, Senior Researcher, Small Arms Survey
Moderator: Rachel Stohl, Senior Associate, Managing Across Boundaries, Stimson Center
EVENT: Global Arms Trade, Recent Trends & Looking Ahead
Video courtesy of the Stimson Center. Click to launch video in new window.
DATE: Monday, March 16, 2015
TIME: 10:00-11:30 AM
LOCATION: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred.
On March 16, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) will release "Trends in international arms transfers, 2014." This annual report, drawn from the world's most detailed public database, identifies top exporters and importers of major conventional weapons as well as key regional arms transfer trends from 2010-2014. Dr. Aude Fleurant, Director of the Arms and Military Expenditure Programme, will present the report's major findings and answer questions in this on-the-record event co-hosted by the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Stimson Center.
Event panelists Jeff Abramson (Forum on the Arms Trade) and Rachel Stohl (Stimson Center) will also look ahead to discuss the prospects for greater responsibility and transparency in the global arms trade as the United States and other countries continue to grapple with whether and how to arm actors in ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa.
Featuring:
Aude Fleurant, Director, Arms and Military Expenditure Programme, SIPRI
Jeff Abramson, Founder, Forum on the Arms Trade
Moderator: Rachel Stohl, Senior Associate, Managing Across Boundaries, Stimson Center
TIME: 10:00-11:30 AM
LOCATION: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor,
Washington DC, 20036
This event has occurred.
On March 16, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) will release "Trends in international arms transfers, 2014." This annual report, drawn from the world's most detailed public database, identifies top exporters and importers of major conventional weapons as well as key regional arms transfer trends from 2010-2014. Dr. Aude Fleurant, Director of the Arms and Military Expenditure Programme, will present the report's major findings and answer questions in this on-the-record event co-hosted by the Forum on the Arms Trade and the Stimson Center.
Event panelists Jeff Abramson (Forum on the Arms Trade) and Rachel Stohl (Stimson Center) will also look ahead to discuss the prospects for greater responsibility and transparency in the global arms trade as the United States and other countries continue to grapple with whether and how to arm actors in ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa.
Featuring:
Aude Fleurant, Director, Arms and Military Expenditure Programme, SIPRI
Jeff Abramson, Founder, Forum on the Arms Trade
Moderator: Rachel Stohl, Senior Associate, Managing Across Boundaries, Stimson Center