Arms Sales and the Middle East: Another Arena for Great Power Competition?

Weapons purchases featured prominently among the many deals announced during President Trump’s May visit to the Gulf, aligning with the U.S. leader’s approach to the region during his first term, when he eased existing restrictions on arms sales. In the interim, during the Biden administration, U.S. arms exports hit record numbers as wars raged in the region and beyond. The rising worldwide demand for weapons has been accompanied by competition among the major suppliers in the United States, Europe, Russia, and China. In the Middle East—home to some of the world’s largest arms importers—the jostling has only intensified, creating pressures and opportunities for Washington and its competitors.

To discuss the current state of the arms market, The Washington Institute is pleased to announce a virtual Policy Forum moderated by Meisel-Goldberger Senior Fellow Grant Rumley and featuring: 

Samuel Bendett, an advisor in the Russia Studies Program at the Center for Naval Analyses focusing on military developments, autonomous systems, and AI.

Ionela Ciolan, a research officer with the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies focusing on European policy, security, and defense.

Laura Cressey, a former director of the Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers, U.S. Department of State, whose global portfolio included Foreign Military Sales.

Jake Rinaldi, an associate political scientist at the RAND Corporation focusing on Chinese military strategy and modernization.

The Policy Forum series is made possible through the generosity of the Florence and Robert Kaufman Family.