The role of Congress in arms transfer to the Middle East, 1976-1988

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5478874

Ghanem, M E

This study examines how domestic considerations affect the conduct of foreign policy of the Unites States. Taking the role of Congress in arms transfer to the Middle East as a case in point, the study identifies the major actors in the arms transfer policymaking process, examines the dynamic and fluid relationship between those actors, explores how Congress voted on arms transfer to moderate Arab countries, and also addresses the question of why members of Congress voted the way they did on this issue. Arms transfer involves companies that make the arms to be transferred and ethnic groups who have emotional ties to their countries of origin requesting the arms. Except for the Arms Export Control Act of 1976, Congress has not been an initiator in arms-transfer policymaking; its role has been confined to fine-tuning arms transfers rather than blocking, vetoing them. The executive branch is still in control of arms-transfer policymaking. The House and Senate have behaved differently on exporting arms to Arab countries. The House has been more opposed to such arms sales than the Senate.

• Research Organization: Connecticut Univ., Storrs, CT (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5478874
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

350200* -- Arms Control-- Proliferation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EXPORTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MIDDLE EAST
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
NORTH AMERICA
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PROLIFERATION
TRADE
USA
WEAPONS