Iraq Joins the Fun of an Arms Race

Kalashnikov's booth at IDEX 2015

According to ViceNews, companies from all around the world have increased sales to the warring country of Iraq. At IDEX, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, corporations such as Kalashnikov, Colt, Sig Sauer, and Boeing all attempt to increase their exports, mostly to Iraq. While not all of the companies present, such as Kalashnikov of Russia and Sig Sauer of Germany/Switzerland, are American, the United States does send more exhibitors than any other country across the globe. Boeing admits to selling product to the Middle East for a total of 10 billion dollars annually. The ViceNews reporter present for this story stated, "I kind of couldn't help but think the instability is good for business," to the Vice President of Oshkosh Defense, a company that provides armored vehicles to those in warring countries. The reporter clearly understands the concept of the "war economy," but does not understand that no one wants war, even if it is "good for business." The sale of arms to the Middle East and Iraq is nothing new. The United States alone has been providing arms to the Middle East since the 1970s. However, as of recent days, the sale of armament in the region has increase exponentially. In 2013 alone, just the United States exported approximately six billion dollars worth of arms to the Middle East. In 2014, that amount increased to around eight billion dollars, due to Saudi Arabia's new found strength in the importation of arms. The United States is not the only world power taking a slice of the arms export pie, however. Russia has also increased its own arms exports by great amounts. One company that can have its products found in almost every conflict zone across the world is Russia's Kalashnikov Groups. America still remains at the top of the exportation world, though. Many fear that, due to the increase of arms to Iraq, militiamen will continue to commit human rights violations. However, many of the arms sold have been used against ISIS. The militiamen really are a problem and must be dealt with in a reasonable manner, while still being allowed to fight the terrorists in the region. While there are laws and regulations in place to prohibit the sale of arms to those who commit human rights violation, the violations continue with the arms provided by American companies. However, arms are not the only things being bought and sent to Iraq. In 2014, the United States hired numerous security contractors to fight members of ISIS. Due to political issues of taking U.S. soldiers out of Iraq, Obama will not send them right back in, so he sends contractors that have no real value to our government. If a contractor is killed, there is no 21 gun salute; there is not even a proper military burial for them. Most just lay dead in the streets of Iraq or whatever country they happen to be in. Also, if a contractor does something wrong while overseas, the American government can deny any involvement. These things simply cannot happen with the regular U.S. military. I personally hope that our government not only sees the necessity for contractors to fill the void of soldiers, but also takes responsibility for sending them and treats them as true soldiers. The Middle East is proving to be quite the hot spot for the "war economy." Maybe we will see almost all the world's focus turn to the Middle East soon. Only time will tell.

Minor language used and explicit violence.

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