THE ARMS SALES MONITORING PROJECT - This brief from the Arms Sales Monitoring Project provides an excellent summary of the statistics and dangers of illicit arms trafficking. Focusing on the sale of small arms and light weapons, the brief describes the logistics of small arms and light weapons trade, its connections to civilian casualties and terrorist causes, as well as the difficulties of monitoring and curtailing this illicit business. The brief concludes with a glossary of terms related to illegal arms trafficking.... 
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THE TERROR WONK - Aaron Mannes reports that DEA agents disguised as FARC members arrested Bout in a sting operation. A similar ploy captured arms dealer Monzer al-Kasser months earlier. Since the arms market is smaller than that of other illicit trades (such as illegal drugs), this strategy could be particularly effective in combating terrorism. Mannes concludes by noting that, while FARC is an ideal organization for sting operations, these two high profile busts could mean that the DEA’s FARC cover is blown. ...
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ADAM SMITH INSTITUTE - While his post focuses on legal arms manufacturing and commerce, Dr. Madsen Pirie contends that culpability rests with those who use arms for immoral purposes, not the people who make and sell them. Pirie argues that arms dealers provide nations with their fundamental right to protect their liberties in times of crisis. Furthermore, arms manufacturing is an important industry, and the UK places tightly controls the sale of weapons to foreign countries....
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