Illegal Arms Smuggling Essay

There are also instances where governments also take part in arms dealing. Although it may look legitimate since proper frameworks are laid down, the most unfortunate case is that it ends up being less transparent as more parties get engaged. The lack of clear set laws and further implementation of the laws is another subject as arms dealers are able to identify the grey areas and other loop holes in these laws and are able to take advantage of them. International arms dealers are able to hide under the lack of laws in certain countries and are able to thrive in their illegal trade. An example of how this has been the case is how a famous Japanese arms dealer was arrested in Manila on account of smuggling over one hundred pistols to Taiwan but he escaped with only a small fine because the harsh Japanese laws that curtail arms trading can only apply to Japanese citizens who are current residents in Japan and not any where else.

Continued studies and research on arms smuggling has shown that the trade is a serious threat to national security of most countries and also raises the possibility of terrorist attack and rise of ideals centered on terrorism. The United Nation and other International bodies have been at task to explain what hey are doing to stop the trade as it emerged brokering of arms has been rampant in developing countries especially those in Africa. The illegal trade in Arms is said to have fueled the Rwandan Genocide that was witnessed in the last decade. Arms smuggling is also attributed to the continued conflicts that have been witnessed in the continent, from Somalia to Angola. Rebel groups such as the Angola Rebel movement, National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) have used arms and from illegal arms dealers. The end result of arms smuggling are the same irrespective of the continent or country it is being perpetrated from. We are now seeing terrorist groups such as AL Qaeda entering the fray and this only heightens the possibility of terrorist attacks.

Whereas most supply and procurement of arms is legal in terms of being processed by government and legal entities, lack of effectual control has resulted in the sporadic conflicts that we continue to see today. It is important to note that the illegal arms supply is closely linked to the illicit exploitation of natural resources, fraud and other misconducts. This has accelerated the rapid deceleration of development in those countries where the trade is ongoing. Human rights are also under constant pressure in countries where the trade is being perpetrated as deaths resulting from the conflicts are always escalating. Although the United Nation has attempted to limit the spread of illegal arms through legislations like resolution 1196 that was ratified in September 1998 which criminalizes the violation of arms embargoes, monitoring such activities is difficult and complex. Such exercises require the full collaboration of countries and security agencies in all countries involved.

In most countries, Statistics reveals that an estimate of $2.5 billion is collected in form of bribes within one year and some if this goes in the aiding of arms smuggling. When this is estimated against the countrys macroeconomic earnings, it represents a quarter of the countrys incomes. Other major collections are from trading in illicit activities like drug trafficking and kidnappings. This accounts for an estimate of 50% of the . Considering the fact that it forms a bigger percentage of the source of income, it then becomes extremely impossible to rid the social injustice and build a healthy nation where services can be obtained easily and for free.

Corruption in among the political elite is of high level such that it is near impossibility to make contact with such person in the system. Since they control internal and external affairs of the nation, the government cannot operate without this class of politicians. It also becomes extremely impossible for developed nations to enter into trade agreements with a poor system. The long run effect is therefore a minimum per capita and a deficient economy. Unless those in control of various departments are emancipated from the culture of injustices, then the whole nation will remain stuck in the circle of poverty. It is also evident from the

Similarity between Illicit Arms businesses and other form of International Businesses

Arms dealers are now applying international business concepts to the illegal trade of arms. Like any other international business, illicit arms trade seeks to follow the objective of profit maximization, where arms are exported to where demand is most prevalent. Illegal arms can only be traced in locations where the demand for arms is driven by wars and conflicts. Another second factor to note is that like any other international business, arms trading also have established facilities responsible for assembly, advertising and circulation which lead to the expansion of transnational criminal systems. Another comparison between other forms of international trade and arms trading is that both exploit weaknesses in institutions and markets worldwide. In the same way as legitimate businesses, the arms trades thrive on failures by state authorities to detect, and enforce rules and state legislations. Last but not least is that the trade in illegal arms seeks to track both internal and external growth paths. This can be evidenced by the various alliances formed between organizations and arms cartels worldwide. Individuals and groups would rather seek partnerships and alliances as opposed to mergers and acquisitions and just as legitimate businesses have spawned other extra support services such as banking and legal businesses, an arm trading has also brought about the rise in support services such as contract killings and money laundry. Both types of businesses have been able to respond to the changing economic environment as countries open up and opportunities appear. Emerging economies such as China and India are enabling arms dealers to expand their areas of operations as well as distribution channels. The concept of globalization has also brought about use of advanced communication and transportation technologies in order to .