United States military aid

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The United States is the world's largest contributor of military aid. In 1996, for instance, over 160 countries received military equipment or training from the U.S.[1]

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[edit] Structure

Funds and authorization for military aid generally come from the United States Congress. This aid can take several forms, but the most common are direct grants given to governments to purchase American-made weapons, services and training. These are authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.[1] $91 billion has been allocated in this way since 1950. The majority of this goes to Israel and Egypt.[2]

Indirect military aid also amounts to a significant source of aid. Some countries receive International Military Education and Training grants to pay for training on U.S. weapons systems, and military management in general. Some grants support anti-narcotic programs which supply military equipment and training for the purpose of suppressing drug production. Other grants apply specifically to anti-terrorism, non-UN peacekeeping, or other foreign military objectives.[2]

Economic Support Funds are not direct military aid grant, but are frequently overtly used to free up a recipient's finances so that military programs can be purchased. In rare cases, arms funding has been provided directly by the executive branch, either through legal or extra-legal means. One example is the Iran-Contra Scandal.

[edit] Recent developments

In 2003, the U.S. suspended military aid to 47 countries for supporting the International Criminal Court and failing to exempt Americans from prosecution.[3]

[edit] Criticism

U.S. military aid is often the subject of controversy. Critics argue that military aid is given for political purposes, does not benefit the people in the target country, and even results in greater oppression and suffering.[4]

Particular targets of criticism include:

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Lora Lumpe and Jeff Donarski, The Arms Trade Revealed: A Guide for Investigators and Activists, chapter 1: Ways and Means.
  2. ^ a b The Federation of American Scientists, U.S. Foreign Military Assistance.
  3. ^ Reuters, "U.S. Suspends Military Aid to Nearly 50 Countries", July 1, 2003. Reprinted at Information Clearing House.
  4. ^ Seth G. Jones et al. Securing Tyrants or Fostering Reform?: U.S. Internal Security Assistance to Repressive and Transitioning Regimes (PDF). The RAND Corporation, 2006. ISBN 978-0-8330-4018-3.

[edit] Further reading