The International Arms Trade (PDF)

The multi-billion dollar business of the international conventional
arms trade involves virtually every country in the world. Around
the globe, people's lives are being irrevocably changed by the
effects of guns, tanks, and missiles. These weapons have the
potential to cause a deadly and current threat - one responsible
for hundreds of thousands of deaths a year.

This succinct and accessible new book explores the complexities
and realities of the global conventional weapons trade. The first
book on the subject in nearly a decade, The International Arms
Trade provides an engaging introduction to the trade, the
effects, and the consequences of these weapons. The authors trace
the history of the arms trade and examine how it has evolved since
the end of the Cold War. In particular, they assess the role of the
largest arms exporters and importers, the business of selling
conventional arms around the world, and shed new light on the
illicit arms trade and the shadowy dealers who profit from their
deadly commerce. The book also looks closely at the devastating
effect the business can have on countries, societies, and
individuals and concludes with an evaluation of the various
existing control strategies and the potential for future control
opportunities.

The International Arms Trade will be invaluable for
students and scholars of international relations and security
studies, and for policymakers and anyone interested in
understanding more about the conventional arms trade.