Jobs, Security, and Human Rights: Striking a Balance in U.S. Arms Export Policy

The inaugural Forum on the Arms Trade annual conference, "Taking Aim: A Closer Look at the Global Arms Trade," is a half-day event that will take place at the Stimson Center on May 22, 2018. The conference will feature leading experts, journalists, and members of civil society and the government. Join us as we look into the effects of the global arms trade on human and national security, and discuss how the U.S. can better assess risk when transferring arms. 

 

Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) ​will kick-off the conference with a short speech and answer questions at noon.

 

The conference will conclude with a discussion with Guy Lawson, author of the award-winning book “Arms and the Dudes,” which was made into the feature film “War Dogs” and one of the dudes himself, David Packouz.

 

Speakers confirmed for panels during the day include:

Radhya Almutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana Organization for Human Rights (Yemen)

John Ismay, Conflict Reporter, New York Times; former U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer

Andrea Prasow, Deputy Washington Director, Human Rights Watch

Daniel Mahanty, Director, U.S. Program, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC); former Director, Office of Security and Human Rights in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. State Department  

 

Additional agenda and panelist information forthcoming.  

 

Jobs, Security, and Human Rights: Striking a Balance in U.S. Arms Export Policy

 

Please find the video of the full event and interviews with our panelists on the Center for International Policy YouTube channel here. 

 

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, 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?

 

This event is co-hosted by the Security Assistance Monitor and Forum on the Arms Trade. Media are especially encouraged to attend.

 

Featuring:

William Hartung, Director, Arms and Security Project, Center for International Policy (@WilliamHartung)

Rachel Stohl, Managing Director, Stimson Center (@rachelstohl)

Veronique de Rugy, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center, George Mason University (@veroderugy) 

Aaron Mehta, Senior Pentagon Correspondent & Associate Editor, Defense News (@AaronMehta)