"U.S. Is Top Arms Seller to Developing World“ reads the headline of an article by Thom Shanker in The New York Times (01 Oct 07). This would seem to be a dream come true for an economically competitive country like the U.S. We’re Number One, we’re Number One!
"The United States maintained its role as the leading supplier of weapons to the developing world in 2006, followed by Russia and Britain, according to a Congressional study to be released Monday. Pakistan, India and Saudi Arabia were the top buyers."
This is no mean feat. "The global arms market is highly competitive, with manufacturing nations seeking both to increase profits and to expand political influence through weapons sales to developing nations, which reached nearly $28.8 billion in 2006."
There are constraints to be dealt with, challenges to overcome. "That sales total was a slight drop from the 2005 figure of $31.8 billion, a trend explained by the strain of rising fuel prices that prompted many developing states – except those that produce oil – to choose upgrading current arsenals over buying new weapons."
But, darn it, there are always complications. "The study makes clear also that the United States has signed weapons-sales agreements with nations whose records on democracy and human rights are subject to official criticism." As with all dreams, there is the pesky shadow side that appears.
"The announcement of major new arms agreements with Pakistan last year renewed debate over whether the Bush administration was elevating its counter-terrorism priorities above its pledge to spread democracy around the world." The number one ranking and billions of dollars profit seem to be supporting less-than-democratic regimes. (Of course, one could question how democratic our own regime is, but that would be even more shadowy!)
However, lest we focus too much on the shadows side of this waking dream, we are offered more heartening information. "When combining totals for arms sales to developed and developing nations, the ranking of world arms dealers remained the same. The United States led with $16.9 billion, followed by Russia with $8.7 billions and Britain with $3.1 billion. The 2006 sales figures for all three nations were higher than their totals in 2005."
But, dang it, this dream of weapons sales cannot help but have deep, broad and dark shadows. Weapons are not toys (which also, it turns out, can have lethal properties). Their purpose is to destroy and kill. To be the world’s by far largest purveyor of tools of destruction, regardless what in the name of, can only be understood as a nightmare, regardless of the thin sequined layer of dollars that glistens on its surface.