Global arms trade

Essay by cormzHigh School, 12th grade January 2007

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The United Nations is an international organization whose role is to maintain co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, and social equity throughout the world. "Founded in 1945 and signed by 51 different countries, it replaced the League of Nations, which was abolished after WWII. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the division of the United Nations in charge of maintaining peace and security among nations" . The UN Security Council is made up of 15 member states, five of which are permanent and the remaining ten temporary. The permanent five are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. "Under Chapter Seven, the Council has the power to decide what measures are to be taken in situations involving threats to the peace as well as breaches of the peace." Most would believe that these 5 members would do anything to maintain peace; however, historically these countries have all been involved in war at some time or another and have all dealt in the trade of weapons or arms.

"The global arms trade and military expenditure involving these countries is over 900 billion dollars annually. On military in general, the US, a permanent member of the Security Council spends about $400 billion annually, a figure that almost matches the rest of the world. The US. spends more money on its military than all its enemies combined. In 1997 alone, half of the US's aid was related to military aid and training." Why is the US along with other members of the United Nations Security Council in fact the ones trading arms to the war-torn countries even though they say they are here to promote peace? The United States of America, as well as other members of the United Nations Security Council are all currently guilty of...