Machinery of War: A Comprehensive Study of the Post-9/11 Global Arms Trade

By Josh Luberisse

In "Machinery of War: A Comprehensive Study of the Post-9/11 Global Arms Trade," Josh offers an exhaustive exploration into the intricate world of global armaments in the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. This seminal work probes the depths of the modern arms trade, revealing its multi-faceted nature, its key players, and its profound impact on the geopolitical landscape.

 

Josh delves into the roles of state actors, private military companies, and non-state entities, underlining their intertwined relationships and the ensuing effects on global security dynamics. With a balanced, objective lens, he navigates through the complexities of cyber warfare, drone technology, and the emergence of autonomous weapons systems, as well as the rise of private military and security companies.

 

Further, he scrutinizes the arms race in different regions, including the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, offering a nuanced understanding of their unique circumstances and their roles in the broader arms trade. The author also addresses the significant role of regulatory efforts in the global arms trade, investigating the successes and failures of arms embargoes and international regulations. Lastly, he gazes into the future, offering predictions and identifying trends that may shape the global arms trade in years to come.

 

"Machinery of War" is an indispensable resource for policymakers, researchers, scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the global arms trade in the 21st century. This in-depth study invites readers to ponder the geopolitical, ethical, and humanitarian implications of the arms trade, highlighting the urgent need for control and regulation in an increasingly interconnected world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fortis Novum Mundum
• Release date: May 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223332879

Josh Luberisse

Josh, a multifaceted entrepreneur and renowned author, has carved a niche for himself in the spheres of artificial intelligence, geopolitics, finance, and cybersecurity. With a myriad of authoritative books to his credit on these subjects, he is undeniably a luminary in the domain. Not just an author, Josh is also the charismatic host of "Innovate Now: The Pulse of Future Technologies," a groundbreaking podcast that unravels the intricacies of nascent technologies and the imminent future of innovation, accentuating on avant-garde progressions in AI, fintech, and quantum computing. His eclectic professional journey is an embodiment of diverse experiences. From serving at financial behemoths like Citi, Bank of America, BNY Mellon, Morgan Stanley, to JP Morgan Chase, his immersion in the financial industry is profound. His multilateral expertise as a licensed real estate agent, tax advisor, and a sagacious planner for retirement and estates accentuates the depth and breadth of his knowledge, enabling him to write with an unparalleled, informed perspective.  However, it's not just the financial world that has witnessed Josh's Midas touch. As an astute entrepreneur, Josh has birthed and nurtured several startups. His brainchild, Neuromorph Systems, stands as a testament to his vision. A future global tech titan, it specializes in data management, system integration, and artificial intelligence. With a mission to shield the pivotal systems of its global clientele and concurrently offer them unparalleled data management, visualization, and analysis capabilities. In the realm of venture capital, Josh's VC firm, Other People's Capital, emerges as a game-changer. Dedicated to bolstering founders with groundbreaking ideas, the company's expertise lies in fostering and propelling enterprises that have the potential to define entire categories. With a track record replete with highly successful exits, Other People's Capital has a legacy of identifying and nurturing businesses that ascend to industry leadership. Josh's journey, from his stint in the financial realm to his foray into the world of startups, underlines his unmatched expertise and vision. As a thought leader, seasoned practitioner, and an indomitable entrepreneur, his writings and ventures are not just about envisioning the future but also about shaping it.

Book preview

Machinery of War

A Comprehensive Study of the Post 9/11 Global Arms Trade

Josh Luberisse

Fortis Novum Mundum

Copyright © 2023 Fortis Novum Mundum

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by: Fortis Novum Mundum

"See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc;

no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you."

Isaiah 54: 16-17

Systems, institutions, and mechanical contrivances have no virtue of their own: they are valuable only when they serve the purposes of men… Use them, of course, but with a constant sense that men have made them, that new ones can be devised, that only an effort of the will can keep machinery in its place…  

Water Lippman

‘Only the dead have seen the end of war.’

George Santayana

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Epigraph

Epigraph

Epigraph

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

PART I: The Post-9/11 Global Arms Trade Landscape

Chapter 1. Understanding the Global Arms Trade

Chapter 2. The Impact of 9/11 on the Global Arms Trade

Chapter 3. Emerging Armament Trends in the 21st Century

PART II: Regional Analysis of Post-9/11 Arms Trade

Chapter 4. The Arms Race in the Middle East: A Post-9/11 Perspective

Chapter 5. Asia's Rising Defense Spending and Procurement

Chapter 6. Western Powers: Arms Procurement and Export in Post-9/11 Era

Chapter 7. Russia's Resurgence in the Global Arms Market

Chapter 8. Africa and Latin America: Peripheral Players in the Global Arms Trade

PART III: Arms Modernization in the New World Order

Chapter 9. The Role of Technology in Modern Arms Trade

Chapter 10. The Impact of Cyber Warfare on Global Armaments

Chapter 11. Space and the Future of Global Armaments

Chapter 12. The Increasing Role of Drones and Unmanned Systems

PART IV: The Shifting Power Structures

Chapter 13. Private Military and Security Companies in the Global Arms Trade

Chapter 14. The International Small Arms Trade: An Underestimated Threat

Chapter 15. Non-State Actors and the Global Arms Trade

PART V: Regulatory Challenges and Future Trends

Chapter 16. International Regulation of Arms Trade: Success and Failures

Chapter 17. The Role of Arms Embargoes in Controlling Arms Trade

Chapter 18. The Future of the Global Arms Trade: Trends and Predictions

Conclusion

Selected Readings

About The Author

Books By This Author

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

PART I: The Post-9/11 Global Arms Trade Landscape

1. Understanding the Global Arms Trade

2. The Impact of 9/11 on the Global Arms Trade

3. Emerging Armament Trends in the 21st Century

PART II: Regional Analysis of Post-9/11 Arms Trade

4. The Arms Race in the Middle East: A Post-9/11 Perspective

5. Asia's Rising Defense Spending and Procurement

6. Western Powers: Arms Procurement and Export in Post-9/11 Era

7. Russia's Resurgence in the Global Arms Market

8. Africa and Latin America: Peripheral Players in the Global Arms Trade

PART III: Arms Modernization in the New World Order

9. The Role of Technology in Modern Arms Trade

10. The Impact of Cyber Warfare on Global Armaments

11. Space and the Future of Global Armaments

12. The Increasing Role of Drones and Unmanned Systems

PART IV: The Shifting Power Structures

13. Private Military and Security Companies in the Global Arms Trade

14. The International Small Arms Trade: An Underestimated Threat

15. Non-State Actors and the Global Arms Trade

PART V: Regulatory Challenges and Future Trends

16. International Regulation of Arms Trade: Success and Failures

17. The Role of Arms Embargoes in Controlling Arms Trade

18. The Future of the Global Arms Trade: Trends and Predictions

Conclusion

Selected Readings

Books, Articles and Websites

Index

Preface

The trade in arms, both legal and illicit, is as old as warfare itself. From the earliest civilizations that fashioned weapons from stone and bronze to today's technologically advanced societies manufacturing drones and developing cyber weapons, the exchange of arms has been a constant feature of human societies. Yet, in the 21st century, and particularly in the aftermath of the seismic events of September 11, 2001, the global arms trade has undergone profound transformations.

Machinery of War: A Comprehensive Study of the Post-9/11 Global Arms Trade is an attempt to understand these changes and to provide a comprehensive overview of the global arms trade in the contemporary world. This book examines the political, economic, and technological factors that have shaped the global arms trade since 9/11, and investigates the role of various actors, from states to non-state entities, in this complex and often opaque industry.

As we delve into the intricate machinery of the global arms trade, we will explore the motivations of major arms producing and exporting nations, the rising defense spending and procurement patterns of emerging powers, and the strategies of peripheral players. We will investigate the role of non-state actors, including private military and security companies, and the threats posed by the international small arms trade. We will also delve into the cutting-edge technologies that are transforming warfare and the arms industry, such as cyber warfare, space technologies, and unmanned systems.

Furthermore, this book examines the international regulations governing the arms trade and their effectiveness and discusses the impact of arms embargoes. In the final section, we take a forward-looking perspective, examining the trends and predictions for the future of the global arms trade.

The aim of this book is not to pass judgment or to provide policy prescriptions. Instead, it seeks to present an objective and comprehensive view of the global arms trade, in all its complexity and contradictions. It is my hope that by shedding light on this important yet often misunderstood aspect of international relations, I can contribute to a more informed and nuanced understanding of the world we live in.

Our journey through the machinery of war is not an easy one. It takes us through a world of geopolitical intrigue, technological innovation, economic interests, and human suffering. Yet, it is a journey that is essential for anyone seeking to understand the realities of power, conflict, and security in the 21st century.

Welcome to Machinery of War: A Comprehensive Study of the Post-9/11 Global Arms Trade.

Introduction

One of the fascinating aspects of delving into the chronicles of history is the ability to retrospectively analyze the decision-making processes of the past. We can examine the expectations that decision-makers held, their desired outcomes, and the intended consequences of