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

2. 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)

3. 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%)

4. 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

5. Chinese Arms Imports
Source: SIPRI Arms Transfer Database

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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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