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.

Acknowledgements
List of acronyms

Chapter 1 Introduction to the International Arms Trade

Chapter 2 The International Arms Trade in Historical Perspective

Chapter 3 The Legal Supply and Transfer of Arms

Chapter 4 The Illicit Arms Trade

Chapter 5 The Consequences of the International Arms Trade

Chapter 6 Controlling the International Arms Trade

Chapter 7 Conclusion

Appendix. The EU Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers

Notes
Bibliography
Index

Rachel Stohl is Associate Fellow at Chatham House.

Suzette Grillot is Associate Professor of Political Science and International and Area Studies at the University of Oklahoma.