Handel bronią konwencjonalną na Bliskim Wschodzie i jego wpływ na bezpieczeństwo w regionie
Arms Trade in the Middle East and Its Implications for Regional Security

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this paper is to indicate current trends in the conventional arms trade in the Middle East and to determine its implications for regional security. The author attempts to answer the following questions: What are the trends in the legal arm imports and exports in the Middle East? What are the main problems related to arms trafficking in the region? How does the arms trade impact regional security in the Middle East? The participation of the Middle Eastern countries in global arms imports over the period 2015-2019 was analyzed as well as arms trafficking conducted by the states and non-state actors, including criminal organizations. The study was based on the analysis of relevant literature and sources as well as statistical methods, which allowed to determine the share of individual countries in the global and regional arms market. The quantitative analysis was based on the latest SIPRI reports, while the UNROCA register was used as an auxiliary source. The author assumes that the arms trade is multidimensional: it should not be deemed negative, provided that it is conducted transparently and in accordance with international law. On the other hand, the states’ unwillingness to put arms trade under international control, arming the parties of prolonged armed conflicts and arms trafficking by non-state actors, poses a threat to international security. The analyzed issue can be relevant for studies on current conflicts and instability in the Middle East, but also for studying their consequences for other parts of the world, particularly Europe.

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