Meanwhile, early June this year saw the collapse of a trial at London\u2019s Old Bailey Crown Court against a Swedish national accused of aiding terrorism in Syria. Prosecutors reportedly reviewed the decision to prosecute<\/a> after it became clear that British intelligence services had been arming the same ‘rebel groups’ that the defendant had been charged with supporting. It emerged at the trial that both Britain\u2019s MI6 and the US government’s CIA had been involved in the transfer of arms from Gaddafi’s former stockpiles to selected groups in the Syrian armed opposition. Concurrently, a CIA document, declassified under the Freedom of Information Act, said that ‘the US and it’s allies weren’t only supporting and arming an opposition they knew to be dominated by extreme sectarian groups, they were prepared to countenance the creation of some sort of \u00ab\u00a0Islamic state\u00a0\u00bb…’.<\/p>\n In the United States, Marc Turi<\/a> is being prosecuted for allegedly violating the 2011 UN arms embargo on Libya by diverting weapons to Al-Qaeda-affiliated militia in Libya via Qatar and the UAE. The initial defence motion asserted that although Mr Turi had received State Department approval to conduct arms brokering discussions with both Qatar and the UAE, no weapons had in actuality been transferred. As the case unfolded in court, it transpired that Mr. Turi was in fact CIA employee and had in 2011 been involved in covert weapons transfers on behalf of the CIA to several Middle Eastern States, including Qatar and the UAE. These states had allegedly been chosen as conduits for covert arms supplies to Libyan militias \u2013 an operation subsequently uncovered by agents of the new Libyan authorities. The case continues to drag on.<\/p>\n In Europe, the European Parliamentary Research Service published its report on illicit small arms and light weapons<\/a> \u2013 an analysis focusing on the thorny question of how such arms transfers migrant from the licit to the illicit sphere. The report highlights that \u00ab\u00a0legally authorised\u00a0\u00bb transfers by States \u00ab\u00a0which [nevertheless] contravene international law, form the main part of the grey market.\u00a0\u00bb It blames mainly ‘gaps in legislation’ and ‘fragile States’ for this ‘grey market’. However, as illustrated in Syria and Libya, the reality is more complex: both covert and overt State-sponsored and State-approved arms transfers of various kinds (not just small arms and light weapons) are the most significant contributors to weapons proliferation and flagrant misuse, and thus to insecurity.<\/p>\n Canada should sign arms trade treaty<\/a> | 2 June 2015 | The Record<\/p>\n Stephen Harper’s Conservative government cares little about what goes on outside of our own borders, unless there are political implications at home. Therefore, as Cesar Jaramillo points out in his May 29 column, our country is one of a handful of rogue states, like North Korea, that have refused to sign the United Nation Arms Trade Treaty. There are two reasons for our government’s stance: political and economic.<\/p>\n NRA: the global arms trade\u2019s best friend<\/a> | 7 June 2015 | Scholars and Rogues<\/p>\n \u2026 What will it take to end the trade? Current efforts focus on embargoes, ending the legal import of weapons into volatile areas. The only problem is they don\u2019t work very well… A step in the right direction is the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a United Nations\u2019 proposal to assert some sanity over the trade by creating stricter standards for all cross-border transfers of weapons.<\/p>\n New Zealand pushes Fiji to join UN Arms Trade Treaty<\/a> | 9 June 2015 | Radio New Zealand International<\/p>\n New Zealand opposition MP is visiting Fiji this week to encourage its government to join the Arms Trade Treaty.<\/p>\n Why Kenya Must Accede to the Arms Trade Treaty<\/a> | 15 June 2015 | The Star | AllAfrica<\/p>\n Throughout the long and many stages of negotiations of the ATT lasting nearly nine years, Kenya played, in the words of Ambassador Amina Mohammed, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, \u00ab\u00a0a key and robust role in its realization,\u00a0\u00bb which statement is fully supported by the many actions taken by Kenya during the Treaty’s negotiation period. Despite these efforts, Kenya has until now, remained conspicuously absent from the list of countries who signed, ratified or acceded to the Treaty.<\/p>\n M\u00e9xico destaca relevancia del Tratado sobre Comercio de Armas<\/a> | 6 July 2015 | Informador<\/p>\n M\u00e9xico destac\u00f3 hoy la relevancia del Tratado sobre el Comercio de Armas (ATT, por siglas en ingl\u00e9s), que entr\u00f3 en vigor el pasado 25 de diciembre y cuya primera conferencia mundial de sus Estados parte se llevar\u00e1 a cabo en Canc\u00fan del 24 al 27 de agosto.<\/p>\n Les d\u00e9put\u00e9s togolais autorisent le gouvernement \u00e0 ratifier trois textes internationaux<\/a> | 10 July 2015 | Le Temps<\/p>\n L\u2019Assembl\u00e9e nationale, lors de sa premi\u00e8re session extraordinaire, a vot\u00e9 \u00e0 l\u2019unanimit\u00e9 le 9 juillet \u00e0 Lom\u00e9, la ratification de trois lois relatives \u00e0 la lutte contre la corruption, la peine de mort et au commerce des armes.<\/p>\n Communiqu\u00e9 de presse. Conseil du Gouvernement \u2013 Mardi 14 juillet 2015<\/a> | 14 July 2015 | Primature Madagascar<\/p>\n Adoption du projet de loi autorisant la ratification du Trait\u00e9 sur le Commerce des Armes. Au titre du Minist\u00e8re des affaires Etrang\u00e8res.<\/p>\n Trinidad and Tobago bids to host Arms Trade Treaty secretariat rent free<\/a> | 15 July 2015 | TT Newsday<\/p>\n Trinidad and Tobago\u2019s offer to host the Arms Trade Treaty secretariat includes the provision of rent free, furnished accommodation for 15 years plus payment of 50 percent of the cost of utilities for five years.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Hyundaization\u2019 Clarified<\/a> | 8 June 2015 | The Diplomat<\/p>\n What does it mean to talk about the \u201cHyundaization\u201d of the global arms trade, and what are the key implications? I welcome Richard A. Bitzinger\u2019s contribution in \u201cThe Global Arms Trade and the \u2018Hyundaization\u2019 Threat.\u201d Bitzinger\u2019s article makes many good points, but some of its contentions address the wrong arguments or worry about the wrong things. In other areas, it addresses claims that weren\u2019t found in my Wall Street Journal article \u2013 which is finally open<\/a> to the public.<\/a><\/p>\n Illicit small arms and light weapons: International and EU action<\/a> | 16 July 2015 | European Parliamentary Research Service<\/p>\n Small arms and light weapons (SALW) are the main tools used in today\u2019s conflicts, the scourge of illicit SALW has only relatively recently drawn international attention. While the global legal trade in SALW and their ammunition has greatly increased in the past decade, so has the question about how to deal with the diversion of SALW from the licit to the illicit sphere…<\/p>\n The Failings and Structural Irrelevance of the U.N.\u2019s Small-Arms Process<\/a> | 20 July 2015 | The Heritage Foundation<\/p>\n On June 1\u20135, 2015, the Second Meeting of Governmental Experts (MGE2) under the PoA was held in New York City. The purpose of MGE2 was to allow nationally nominated experts to address technical issues raised at the Fifth Biennial Meeting of States (BMS5). The MGE2\u2019s agenda focused on polymer firearms (i.e., so-called plastic guns); modular firearms (i.e., guns with interchangeable parts); 3-D printed firearms; and calls from some U.N. member nations for increased foreign aid. These four subjects are supposedly central to controlling the illicit arms trade.<\/p>\n China close to first FTC-2000 supersonic trainer sale in Africa<\/a> | 18 June 2015 | IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly<\/p>\n China has signed a preliminary contract with an African country for the first sale of its low-cost Chengdu\/Guizhou FTC-2000 supersonic trainer.<\/p>\n Kamov to demo Ka-52 in Algeria<\/a> | 25 June 2015 | IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly<\/p>\n Russian Helicopters subsidiary Kamov will demonstrate its Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters later this year, the Russian news agency TASS reported on 23 June.<\/p>\n The Arming of Benghazi<\/a> | 27 June 2015 | Fox Business<\/p>\n The United States supported the secret supply of weapons to Libyan rebels while Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State according to federal court documents obtained by Fox News.<\/p>\n UN refuses to lift arms embargo on Libya<\/a> | 16 July 2015 | Middle East Monitor<\/p>\n The United Nations has refused a request submitted yesterday by Libya’s UN Ambassador Ibrahim Omar Dabbashi to lift an embargo on arms imports imposed on the country. The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Bernardino L\u00e9on said in a statement that \u00ab\u00a0such a request should come from a national unity government which represents all the Libyan parties.<\/p>\n Arms dealer claims Obama DOJ prosecuting me to protect Hillary<\/a> | 22 July 2015 | WND<\/p>\n Defense filings in the Department of Justice prosecution of arms dealer Marc Turi allege the Obama administration is willing to prosecute an innocent man to cover up the role former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton played shipping weapons to Libya illegally in 2011.<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n Obama admin framing arms dealer<\/a> | 27 July 2015 | WND<\/p>\n A member of the independent Citizens\u2019 Commission on Benghazi believes the Obama administration positioned arms dealer Marc Turi to take the fall for illicit arms deals to Libya orchestrated in 2011 by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the State Department.<\/p>\n Greek customs seizes 16 Libya-bound armoured vehicles<\/a> | 28 July 2015 | DefenceWeb<\/p>\n Customs service officials in the Greek port of Piraeus have sixteen armoured vehicles to Libya in violation of the United Nations arms embargo. Officials from the Piraeus Sixth Customs Directorate boarded the MV Tychy at the nearby port of Keratsini on July 21 and found eight Streit Group Typhoon 4×4 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, five armoured Toyota Land Cruisers, two armoured BMW sedans and one armoured Mercedes sedan. The vehicles were impounded while the ship was allowed to continue on its way.<\/p>\n Britain Quietly Resumes Multi-Million-Pound Arms Deals With Egypt<\/a> | 31 July 2015 | Newsweek<\/p>\n The British government has quietly resumed multimillion-pound arms deals with Egypt two years after the country’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, was overthrown in a coup led by the current president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, new figures have revealed.<\/p>\n Djibouti parades Chinese tank destroyer<\/a> | 28 June 2015 | IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly<\/p>\n The Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) displayed a single Norinco WMA301 Assaulter tank destroyer during the country’s independence day parade on 27 June.<\/p>\n Why is Israel turning a blind eye to South Sudan arms sales?<\/a> | 7 July 2015 | Al Monitor<\/p>\n As expected, the resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on July 3, condemning Israel based on the report of the UN panel probing Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip, provoked scanting criticism on Jerusalem’s part. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to condemn the condemners, stating that Israel not only assiduously upholds the equal rights of all its citizens, but also \u201cacts in accordance with international law.\u201d Once again claims were heard that the UNHRC picks on Israel, which adheres strictly to its \u201cpurity of arms\u201d military ethical doctrine, while ignoring far worse crimes against humanity committed by other states.<\/p>\n Embraer Defense & Security and Republic of Mali sign contract for six A-29 Super Tucano at the Paris Air Show<\/a> | 15 June 2015 | Embraer Press Release | PR Newswire<\/p>\n Embraer Defense & Security and the Ministry of Defense and Veterans from the Republic of Mali have signed today a contract for the acquisition of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training turboprops at the Paris Air Show. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defense from the Republic of Mali, Tieman Coulibaly. The contract includes logistic support for the operation of these aircraft and also provides a training system for pilots and mechanics of the Mali Air Force. The A-29 Super Tucano will be deployed for advanced training, border surveillance, and internal security missions.<\/p>\n I’ll Ask Zuma About U.S.$9.3 MIllion Botched Arms Deals<\/a> | 17 June 2015 | Daily Trust | AllAfrica<\/p>\n Buhari Demands Seized $9.3m Arms Money from S\/Africa<\/a> | 17 June 2015 | Nigeria Communications Week<\/p>\n President Muhammadu Buhari has said the $9.3m arms deal cash which South African authorities seized from two Nigerians and an Israeli last September was \u00ab\u00a0not correctly transferred\u00a0\u00bb to Nigeria. He said he would ask South African President Jacob Zuma about the money during his proposed visit to Nigeria.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Arms Proliferation in Nigeria Worries Ecowas<\/a> | 18 June 2015 | Daily Trust | AllAfrica<\/p>\n The annual meeting of National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATCOMs) has expressed concerns over small arms proliferation, saying despite several protocols signed by member nations of ECOWAS, nothing has changed. At a meeting of National Commissions on Small Arms of the Economic Community of West African States in Calabar yesterday, President of ECOWAS, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, said: \u00ab\u00a0the case of the Sahel region and northern Nigeria in particular reveals deficiency in the reinforcement capacity of security forces in the control of illegal movement of arms in Nigeria and in the region.\u00a0\u00bb<\/p>\n Embraer Defense & Security sells five A-29 Super Tucano to the Ghana Air Force<\/a> | 19 June 2015 | Embraer Press Release | PR Newswire<\/p>\n Embraer Defense & Security and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Ghana have signed a contract for the acquisition of five A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training turboprops. The contract includes logistic support for the operation of these aircraft as well as the set-up of a training system for pilots and mechanics in Ghana that will provide the autonomy of the Ghana Air Force in preparing qualified personnel.<\/p>\n Ecowas – EU Small Arms Project Launched in Liberia<\/a> | 27 June 2015 | FPA | AllAfrica<\/p>\n Deputy Defense Minister for Operations says the proliferation of small arms and illegal use of light weapons poses extreme danger to any society, community or country. Mr. Jerome Labalee stressed that conflict prevention mechanisms are important steps needed to help reduce the use of small arms and light weapons within the Mano River Union Basin and the Sahel Region.<\/p>\n Japan and UNDP Team Up to Take Small Arms Off the Streets of C\u00f4te d’Ivoire<\/a> | 9 July 2015 | UNDP | AllAfrica<\/p>\n The Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are extending a vast initiative to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in C\u00f4te d’Ivoire, just three months ahead of the country’s presidential election.<\/p>\n How 2015 electioneering campaigns elevated criminality<\/a> | 9 July 2015 | Daily Trust<\/p>\n There is no doubt that Nigeria recorded drastic increase in the rate of crime since the commencement of electioneering campaigns for the 2015 general elections with cases of kidnapping, ritual killings, armed robbery, high profile assassinations, cultism, theft, cattle rustling and other nefarious activities on the increase. Daily Trust Crime Watch investigation revealed that the increase in the rate of criminal activities is associated with the mass circulation of arms and ammunitions provided to political thugs by top politicians that armed them (thugs) with a view to attacking their political opponents and in some cases, serving as their masters\u2019 armies of destruction and ballot box snatching.<\/p>\n Sierra Leone Rated High in Small Arms Control<\/a> | 14 July 2015 | Concord Times | AllAfrica<\/p>\n A report published by the Ghana-based Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) on compliance with the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons has rated Sierra Leone as the only country to have domesticated the Convention in its Arms and Ammunition Act 2012, demonstrating preparedness towards complete harmonisation with other international treaties<\/p>\n Feds allow military exports, despite \u2018abysmal\u2019 rights record<\/a> | 17 July 2015 | Embassy News<\/p>\n The (Canadian) federal government has allowed military exports from the Canadian private sector to the Nigerian government, whose human rights record the foreign minister last year described as \u201cabysmal.\u201d While the government has cited human rights concerns in limiting its own military aid to the Nigerian government, it has let Canadian companies sell armoured vehicles to the country in recent years while Nigeria\u2019s military has been fighting the militant insurgent group Boko Haram.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Malawi Renegotiates $145m Arms Deal With Paramount<\/a> | 8 June 2015 | Nyasa Times | AllAfrica<\/p>\n Malawi government set to renegotiate a deal worth $145 million (about K58 billion) with Paramount Group, Africa’s largest private defence and aerospace firm, which signed deals with the Malawian government for agriculture, fuel and military contracts through a network of investment firms.<\/p>\n Swaziland’s Massive Military Spending<\/a> | 28 June 2015 | Swazi Media Commentary (Gaborone)| AllAfrica<\/p>\n A new report shows Swaziland spent US$259.8 million on its military in the past three years.<\/p>\n Firearms Control Act to Stop Illegal Gun Ownership<\/a> | 10 July 2015 | SAnews.gov.za (Tshwane) | AllAfrica<\/p>\n The Firearms Control Act is aimed at strict and efficient gun control, says Deputy Police Minister Maggie Sotyu. Contrary to the cries that, through this legislation, the government is limiting the rights of citizens to protect themselves, this Act, the Deputy Minister said was not formulated to compromise the rights of civilians to defend themselves.<\/p>\n Gun Licences ‘Dished Out Like Sweets’<\/a> | 16 July 2015 | The Namibian | AllAfrica<\/p>\n Police inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga yesterday said the force is working on a law that will tighten the possession and use of firearms by members of the public in the country.<\/p>\n <\/a>Turkey arming Syrian jihadis<\/strong><\/p>\n Video Shows Turkey Smuggling Arms to Syrian Jihadists<\/a> | 29 May 2015 | Arutz Sheva<\/a><\/p>\n (Video<\/a>) (\u0130\u015fte Erdo\u011fan’\u0131n yok dedi\u011fi silahlar<\/a> \u2013 Original webpage censored by Turkish government)<\/p>\n Images and video footage allegedly showing trucks belonging to Turkey’s state intelligence service carrying weapons en route to jihadist rebels in Syria were published Friday in a Turkish daily. The Turkish government has vehemently denied earlier claims that it is arming rebels fighting in Syria and accused dozens of prosecutors, soldiers and security officers involved in the searching of trucks of attempting to bring it down by suggesting that it is doing so.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gov\u2019t hastily secures gag order for Syria-bound arms footage<\/a> | 29 May 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n Turkish daily faces terrorism probe after publishing alleged photos of arms on M\u0130T trucks<\/a> | 29 May 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n A Turkish daily’s damning publication of pictures of weapons carried by Syria-bound trucks run by Turkey’s intelligence organization prompted the government to immediately secure a gag order from a judge in order to contain the fallout from the scandal. The Cumhuriyet daily’s headline story on Friday discredited the government’s earlier claim that the trucks were carrying humanitarian aid to Turkmens in civil war-torn Syria.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Davuto\u011flu says M\u0130T trucks \u2018nobody\u2019s business\u2019<\/a> | 31 May 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n Following a recent news report revealing that some of the Syria-bound trucks operated by the National Intelligence Organization (M\u0130T) contained weapons, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto\u011flu has said that it is \u201cnone of anybody’s business\u201d what the trucks contained.<\/p>\n Erdo\u011fan personally sues journalist D\u00fcndar over Syria trucks report<\/a> | 2 June 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n Erdo\u011fan files criminal complaint against D\u00fcndar, press advocacy bodies show solidarity with journalist<\/a> | 2 June 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n CPJ condemns Erdo\u011fan over threat against journalist behind Syria trucks coverage<\/a> | 2 June 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n Journalist will pay ‘heavy price’ says Erdogan<\/a> | 2 June 2015 | Al monitor<\/p>\n President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan has sued Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Can D\u00fcndar over the publication of video footage that the newspaper said showed the Turkish Intelligence Agency (M\u0130T) trucks carrying weapons to Syria. Erdo\u011fan filed a criminal complaint against D\u00fcndar for \u201cparticipating in an act with the members of the [parallel] organization \u2026 by publishing fake footage and information leaked to him by the parallel organization.\u201d The term \u201cparallel structure\u201d has been invented by Erdo\u011fan to refer to alleged sympathizers of the G\u00fclen movement, also known as Hizmet, within the state bureaucracy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Turkey\u2019s statistics institute reveals scale of arms exports to Syria<\/a> | 3 June 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n An official report released by the Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat) has revealed the scope of arms exports to Syria, a definitive confirmation that weapons have been sent to Syria despite the government’s firm denial.<\/p>\n HRW calls on Turkey to drop probe against Cumhuriyet for reporting on M\u0130T trucks<\/a> | 3 June 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n Human Rights Watch (HRW) has harshly criticized Turkey over a criminal investigation started against the Cumhuriyet daily and its editor-in-chief for the daily’s report on Syria-bound trucks carrying arms from Turkey, stating that the probe targeting the daily should be dropped immediately.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cumhuriyet publishes more photos from scene of intercepted trucks<\/a> | 4 June 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n Turkish Cumhuriyet daily on Thursday published photos showing a violent confrontation between gendarmes and intel operatives who were transporting illegal arms to opposition groups in Syria on trucks operated by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT). The expos\u00e9 followed an earlier story by Cumhuriyet that included still shots from video footage of heavy arms and mortars that were being taken to Syria. The original video footage was uploaded to the daily’s website.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Turkey denies report of sending weapons, fighters to ISIL<\/a> | 11 June 2015 | Todays Zoman<\/p>\n Ankara has dismissed a recent report claiming that Turkey’s intelligence service transferred arms and fighters to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), calling the allegations \u201ca part of the smear campaign\u201d against Turkey and \u201cslander.\u201d In its main story last Thursday, Turkey’s Cumhuriyet daily published photos and video of drivers admitting they transferred people with thick beards and cargo to ISIL.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Turkish magazine traces intercepted Syria-bound arms to Libya<\/a> | 15 June 2015 | Todays Zoman<\/p>\n The Nokta newsweekly magazine published an investigative piece<\/a> on Monday, revealing the secretive arms trade between Libya and Syria via Turkey that has enriched senior officials on the back of violence and conflict.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Turkish officials involved in supplying arms to radical Syrian groups, prosecutor says<\/a> | 18 June 2015 | Todays Zoman<\/p>\n Turkish officials, including intelligence agency personnel, have been involved in the supply of weapons and ammunition to radical Syrian Islamist groups, particularly Ahrar ash-Sham, according to the team of prosecutors who previously carried out investigations into terrorist activities, including the infamous intervention into the weapon-laden trucks headed for Syria in January 2014.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ex-prosecutor Karaca: Interception of trucks carrying arms was legal<\/a> | 18 June 2015 | Todays Zoman<\/p>\n Former Adana Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Ahmet Karaca, who oversaw the case concerning trucks carrying arms intercepted en route to Syria in January 2014, has said in his defense that everything was done according to legal procedures.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Turkish gov\u2019t plotted with smuggler in Syria<\/a> | 22 June 2015 | Todays Zoman<\/p>\n The landmark defense put up by Turkey’s veteran anti-terror public prosecutors — who were unjustly detained in an Islamist-led hush-up of investigations into the government record of aiding and abetting radical groups in Syria including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) — has helped to assemble the larger Turkish jigsaw puzzle by putting more pieces into the public domain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n M\u0130T truck convoy said to have also carried drugs and money<\/a> | 23 June 2015 | Todays Zoman<\/p>\n It has emerged that trucks allegedly carrying weapons to radical organizations in Syria may also have been carrying illegal narcotics and large sums of money, according to the report submitted by the gendarmerie forces who searched the trucks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Turkish media\u2019s deafening silence on arms-laden M\u0130T trucks linger due to fear<\/a> | 27 June 2015 | Todays Zoman<\/p>\n Following the release of testimony from the arrested prosecutors who are accused of espionage and treason for ordering and being present for the stopping and searching of weapon-laden trucks in January 2014 last week, with few exceptions the Turkish media still turns a blind eye to the sensational information in the testimony due to fear and political pressure.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fatih Ya\u011fmur receives EU journalism award for M\u0130T truck news<\/a> | 29 June 2015 | Todays Zoman<\/a><\/p>\n Fatih Ya\u011fmur was awarded the Best Investigative Report of 2014 at the EU Investigative Journalism Awards on Monday for his article exposing the guns and munitions sent to Syria by the National Intelligence Organization (M\u0130T), which was published in the Radikal daily on Jan. 3, 2014.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Indictment seeks life sentence for prosecutors, military commander who stopped M\u0130T trucks<\/a> | 3 July 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n An indictment filed in a Turkish court is seeking a life sentence for four prosecutors and a colonel who were involved in a search of Syria-bound trucks in January 2014.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Turkish media\u2019s deafening silence on arms-laden M\u0130T trucks linger due to fear<\/a> | 3 July 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n Following the release of testimony from the arrested prosecutors who are accused of espionage and treason for ordering and being present for the stopping and searching of weapon-laden trucks in January 2014 last week, with few exceptions the Turkish media still turns a blind eye to the sensational information in the testimony due to fear and political pressure.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Prosecutors, colonel involved in M\u0130T trucks case referred to appeals court for trial<\/a> | 15 July 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n A local Turkish court has accepted an indictment seeking a life sentence for four prosecutors and a colonel who were involved in a search of Syria-bound trucks in January 2014 and referred the suspects to the Supreme Court of Appeals for trial.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jurist says M\u0130T truck case will fall apart when reaches trial stage<\/a> | 16 July 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n The case of the January 2014 interception of Syria-bound trucks belonging to the National Intelligence Organization (M\u0130T) will fall apart when it reaches the trial stage, the head of a law foundation has said, after a court recently accepted an indictment seeking life sentences for four prosecutors and a colonel who were involved in a search of trucks in January 2014, referring the suspects to the Supreme Court of Appeals for trial.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n YARSAV criticizes HSYK for persecuting prosecutors who investigated Syria-bound trucks<\/a> | 23 July 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n A judicial association has harshly criticized the top judicial authority over its indirect responsibility for a bombing in Suru\u00e7, calling for the authority to apologize for its actions that led to the attack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ICJ acknowledges request for inquiry into Syria-bound M\u0130T trucks<\/a> | 30 July 2015 | Todays Zaman<\/p>\n The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has acknowledged receipt of an email sent by a Turkish political party requesting an investigation into the case of arms-filled trucks bound for Syria and operated by the National Intelligence Organization (M\u0130T) that came to national attention after they were intercepted on the orders of a prosecutor in southern Turkey last year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other arms transfers to Syria\/Iraq<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now the truth emerges: how the US fuelled the rise of Isis in Syria and Iraq<\/a> | 3 June 2015 | The Guardian<\/p>\n The war on terror, that campaign without end launched 14 years ago by George Bush, is tying itself up in ever more grotesque contortions. On Monday the trial in London of a Swedish man, Bherlin Gildo, accused of terrorism in Syria, collapsed after it became clear British intelligence had been arming the same rebel groups the defendant was charged with supporting.<\/p>\n U.S. quietly starts channeling arms from $1.6 billion fund to Iraq<\/a> | 5 June 2015 | Reuters<\/p>\n The United States has quietly started delivering promised arms for Iraqi soldiers from a $1.6 billion fund approved by Congress last year, officials said, following mounting Iraqi frustration over the pace of coalition assistance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n US blocks attempts by Arab allies to fly heavy weapons directly to Kurds to fight Islamic State<\/a> | 2 July 2015 | The Telegraph<\/p>\n The United States has blocked attempts by its Middle East allies to fly heavy weapons directly to the Kurds fighting Islamic State jihadists in Iraq, The Telegraph has learnt. Some of America\u2019s closest allies say President Barack Obama and other Western leaders, including David Cameron, are failing to show strategic leadership over the world\u2019s gravest security crisis for decades.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Leaked documents show Israel sought to arm Syrian rebels<\/a> | 9 July 2015 | Haaretz<\/p>\n The Lebanese news website Al-Akhbar<\/a>, considered affiliated with Hezbollah, reported on Thursday that it has obtained documents showing that Israeli officials tried to coordinate the transfer of weapons to Syrian opposition forces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Weitere Munition aus Deutschland im Irak eingetroffen<\/a> | 10 July 2015 | Bundeswehr<\/p>\n Am fr\u00fchen Abend des 9. Juli landete erneut ein Transportflugzeug vom Typ Antonov AN-124 mit Waffen und Munition im nordirakischen Erbil. Die Unterst\u00fctzung der Sicherheitskr\u00e4fte der kurdischen Regionalregierung aus Deutschland wird damit fortgesetzt. Dieser Transport umfasste rund 60 Tonnen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Iraq Apathetic to U.S. Equipment Offer<\/a> | 29 July 2015 | US News & World Report<\/p>\n The Iraqi government has accepted only a fraction of fighting vehicles the U.S. has offered to provide it, indicating leaders in Baghdad desperately holding their country together amid the Islamic State group onslaught may be trying to appease multiple masters.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rest of Asia<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Russia to expand weaponry sales to Southeast Asia<\/a> | 1 June 2015 | TASS<\/p>\n Russia is ready to develop military and technical cooperation with new markets in Southeast Asia, Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said at an Asia-Pacific security forum on Monday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tel Aviv arms trade show braces for protest against South Sudan delegation<\/a> | 2 June 2015 | Haaretz<\/p>\n Human rights activists want Israel to halt weapons exports to the African state, amid allegations of war crimes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Japan, Philippines agree to discuss defense equipment transfer<\/a> | 4 June 2015 | Global Times<\/p>\n Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Philippine President Benigno Aquino have agreed on the start of negotiations to sign an accord over the transfer of defense equipment during their summit meeting Thursday, local media reported.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tank maker seeks to increase exports on land armaments<\/a> | 5 June 2015 | China Daily<\/p>\n In an effort to increase sales of its tanks in the face of declining global demand, China North Industries Group Corp, the country’s biggest developer and maker of land armaments, is turning to a popular smartphone social networking app.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lebanese Super Tucano procurement confirmed<\/a> | 9 June 2015 | IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly<\/p>\n The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed on 9 June that the United States is providing the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with six Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano light attack and surveillance aircraft.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Deutsche Gewehre im Jemen. Bundesregierung gibt L\u00fccke bei Waffenexport-Kontrolle zu<\/a> | 12 June 2015 | Der Spiegel<\/p>\n Bundesregierung r\u00e4umt R\u00fcstungskontroll-Probleme ein<\/a> | 12 June 2015 | Die Zeit<\/p>\n Deutsche Gewehre im Jemen. Bundesregierung verlangt Aufkl\u00e4rung von Saudi-Arabien<\/a> | 20 June 2015 | Der Spiegel<\/p>\n Saudi-Arabien darf Waffen der deutschen Firma Heckler & Koch nur f\u00fcr den Eigenbedarf herstellen. Offenbar h\u00e4lt sich das Land aber nicht an die Absprache.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n China Exercises Strict Control over Military Trade<\/a> | 13 June 2015 | CRI English<\/p>\n China says it has exercised strict and effective control over military trade. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks in response to a report saying China-made man-portable air defense systems had fallen into the hands of militants in Iraq and Syria.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Russia mulling participation of its Sukhoi-35 jet in bidding contest in Indonesia<\/a> | 18 June 2015 | TASS<\/p>\n Rosoboronexport official said that the Russian manufacturers and exporters should boost the export capabilities of the Sukhoi-35\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Textron sees significant Arab interest in armed Shadow UAVs<\/a> | 21 June 2015 | IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly<\/p>\n Several Arab states are interested in acquiring Textron unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including armed versions of the Shadow, according to Tarek Mekhail, the US company’s vice president for the Middle East operations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Uzbekistan Buying European Military Planes? Photos Say Yes.<\/a> | 23 June 2015 | EurasiaNet<\/p>\n Uzbekistan appears to have bought four military transport aircraft from Airbus, as it continues to try to get new military equipment from Western partners.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n France says Saudi Arabia to order H145 helicopters<\/a> | 24 June 2015 | IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly<\/p>\n Saudi Arabia plans to order 23 Airbus H145 light helicopters as part of a series of deals worth USD12 billion, French foreign minister Laurent Fabius told reporters on 24 June.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Russian S-300 air defence system manufacturer signs deal with Iran<\/a> | 25 June 2015 | TASS<\/p>\n Russian S-300 air defence system manufacturer Almaz-Antey and Iran\u2019s Center for Innovation and Technology Cooperation have signed a cooperation agreement, Almaz-Antey said in a statement on Thursday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Southeast Asia\u2019s Arms Market: Growing \u2018Commoditisation\u2019?<\/a> | 27 June 2015 | Eurasia Review<\/p>\n If arms sales are increasingly a commodity business, governed mainly by price, it could increase regional militaries\u2019 access to advanced military equipment and technologies. Still, other factors affect any true \u201ccommoditisation\u201d of the regional arms market.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Regierung genehmigt R\u00fcstungsgesch\u00e4ft mit Saudi-Arabien und Qatar<\/a> | 27 June 2015 | Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung<\/p>\n Saudi-Arabien darf laut einem Bericht Patrouillenboote von Deutschland kaufen. Die Bundesregierung sieht keinen Grund f\u00fcr Kritik: Mit den Booten seien Menschenrechtsverletzungen nicht m\u00f6glich. An Qatar soll ein Kampfpanzer geliefert werden \u2013 zu Erprobungszwecken.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Did Moscow\u2019s ‘air defense’ diplomacy land Saudi deal?<\/a> | 30 June 2015 | Al Monitor<\/p>\n A profound, nearly civilizational rift and continuously escalating strife in the Middle East are prodding Russia to exercise exceptional flexibility as it seeks to hold on to a foundation of friendly relations with key, if not all, regional players that have taken many decades to build. The nature of these relations is determined by historical memories, as Russia had never been a colonial power in the area, and during the Soviet era invariably supported Arab national liberation movements, helped create industrial potential in many nations in the region and backed the Palestinian cause. In more recent years, however, it has had to work to mitigate the fallout of the conflict in Chechnya in the 1990s, as a number of Middle Eastern states sympathized with the separatists, and of its policy stance regarding the ongoing Syrian conflict. With respect to the latter, regional players have been showing signs of better understanding Russia\u2019s position.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Iraq receives four more Russian combat helicopters<\/a> | 1 July 2015 | IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly<\/p>\n The Iraqi Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 2 July that it has taken delivery of four more \u00ab\u00a0advanced combat helicopters\u00a0\u00bb from Russia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Russia ready to export Iskander missile complexes to Saudi Arabia<\/a> | 3 July 2015 | TASS<\/p>\n The announcement comes across as a new development, since officials of the St Petersburg-based Machine-Building Design Bureau have said previously the Iskanders will not be exported.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rosoboronexport to supply to China Zubr landing craft ordered in Ukraine<\/a> | 3 July 2015 | TASS<\/p>\n The Morye shipyard that designed these Zubr vessels is a Russian plant, so the task is to fulfill this contract signed between Ukraine and China, Rosoboronexport deputy CEO Igor Sevastyanov explains.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n U.S. Defends Giving Armored Vehicles To Uzbekistan<\/a> | 5 July 2015 | EurosiaNet<\/p>\n State Department officials have defended the provision of armored vehicles to Uzbekistan<\/a> against criticism that it is irresponsible to reward a government with such a poor record of treating its citizens, while more military aid to Tashkent appears to be in the works.<\/p>\n Gun culture fuels illegal arms trade<\/a> | 6 July 2015 | Daily Mail (India)<\/p>\n Growing gun culture and a rising crime rate has swelled the demand for illegal arms and arms licences in Haryana, Punjab and neighbouring, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and New Delhi. The Ferozepur police recently unearthed a network of illegal weapon suppliers, who were active in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n US Congress okay weapons transfer to Jordan amid anti-ISIL campaign<\/a> | 8 July 2015 | Middle East North Africa Financial Network<\/p>\n The House passed legislation on Tuesday that would facilitate US weapons transfers to Jordan in the fight against Islamic State militants.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Washington\u2019s Military Gift to Uzbekistan Questioned<\/a> | 9 July 2015 | The Diplomat<\/p>\n Earlier this week, Eurasianet\u2019s Joshua Kucera flagged an interesting, largely overlooked bit in last month\u2019s U.S. congressional hearing on civil and political rights in Central Asia. Speaking before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia Dan Rosenblum took a break from discussing Washington\u2019s fledgling, floundering focus on human rights in the region to discuss a move with which his name has become synonymous: America\u2019s decision to give some 300 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to the Uzbek regime, the largest single military donation the U.S. has ever offered the region.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yemeni forces seize Saudi arms airdrop meant for terrorists<\/a> | 13 July 2015 | PressTV<\/p>\n The Yemeni army, along with popular committees, has reportedly seized weapons Saudi military aircraft dropped to the terrorists operating in the southern part of the country.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Japanese firms enter arms race after five decades<\/a> | 14 July 2015 | The Hindu<\/p>\n Some of Japan\u2019s biggest companies, best known for motorcycles, washing machines and laptop computers, are pitching a new line of global products: military hardware. Quiet-running attack submarines. Amphibious search-and-rescue planes. Ship-mounted radar systems that use lasers to help pinpoint approaching enemies.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lockheed wins U.S. approval to upgrade fighter jets for South Korea<\/a> | 15 July 2015 | Yahoo<\/p>\n The U.S. government on Wednesday said it had approved Lockheed Martin Corp to upgrade 134 U.S.-made F-16 jet fighters for South Korea with new mission computers, radars and other equipment in a deal worth an estimated $2.5 billion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sale of Uzi manufacturer highlights Israeli hypocrisy towards arms trade<\/a> | 21 July 2015 | Middle East Monitor<\/p>\n Israeli Military Industries (IMI), the state-owned weapons designer and manufacturer, has been put up for privatisation. If there is one company that encapsulates Israel’s hypocritical approach to the arms trade, crime and human rights, it is IMI; and if there is one weapon, it is IMI’s \u00ab\u00a0Uzi\u00a0\u00bb, the iconic sub-machine gun which for many decades was the company’s darkest jewel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a>Arms Trade Treaty<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nGlobal Arms Trade<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nAfrica<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n
North Africa<\/span><\/pre>\n<\/div>\nEast Africa<\/span><\/pre>\n<\/a>West Africa<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/pre>\n
Southern Africa<\/a><\/span><\/pre>\n<\/h1>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nAsia<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"Fea_Finardi_Figure1\"](\"https:\/\/ipisresearch.be\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Fea_Finardi_Figure1-300x243.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n