**GAO-12-89**                      Published: Nov 17, 2011. Publicly Released: Nov 17, 2011.                  

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## Highlights

The United States has authorized billions of dollars in arms sales and exports to six Persian Gulf countries--Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, regional tensions and civil conflicts have raised concerns about the security and use of arms sold or exported to these countries. The Departments of Defense (DOD) and State (State) established end-use monitoring programs to ensure that these arms are used as intended. This report assesses the extent to which DOD and State (1) safeguard U.S. military technologies sold or exported to the Gulf countries, (2) provide similar or differing levels of protection for the same military technologies, and (3) vet recipients of U.S.-funded military training and equipment for potential human rights violations. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed laws and regulations, analyzed data and documentation, and interviewed officials in Washington, D.C., and the Gulf countries.

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## Topics

International Affairs

AccountabilityArms controlEmbassiesExportingForeign governmentsForeign military arms salesForeign military assistanceForeign military trainingHuman rights violationsInternational relationsMilitary inventoriesMilitary materielMilitary technologyMonitoringTrade regulationHuman rights