ABSTRACT
There are two essential features of the supply of major weapons, which have enormous implications both for the relations determined between rich and poor countries and for the possibilities for arms control. The first is the increasing complexity of weapons systems. The second factor is the control of the arms trade by governments, all exports of weapons require a government licence, that is to say, a positive decision by the government concerning the sale. The policy of most European countries is dominated by the role export play in maintaining the domestic defence industry. Policies of hegemony are pursued by the United States and the Soviet Union. The resources of these countries are sufficient to maintain a very sophisticated armaments base without reliance on exports. The countries of North Africa and Pakistan are those most similar to the Middle East, in terms of resources, supplying countries interests, and factors leading to the demand for weapons.
