Persian Gulf
Subtitle: U.S. agencies need to improve licensing data and to document reviews of arms transfers for U.S. foreign policy and national security goals : report to congressional requesters
Contributors: Christoff, Joseph A.
Publisher: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Washington, D.C.]
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Number of pages: 55
Subjects: Rules and practice; Evaluation; Arms transfers; Surplus military property; American Military assistance; Relations; National security; United States. Department of Defense; United States; United States. Department of State
Other titles: Persian Gulf :; U.S. agencies need to improve licensing data and to document reviews of arms transfers for U.S. foreign policy and national security goals
Description: The United States uses arms transfers through government-to-government Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and direct commercial sales (DCS) to support its foreign policy and national security goals. The Departments of Defense (DOD) and State (State) have authorized arms worth billions of dollars to six Persian Gulf countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The United States established the Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD) to discuss security issues with these countries. GAO was asked to determine (1) the dollar value and nature of U.S. arms transfers authorized for the Gulf countries' governments, (2) the extent to which U.S. agencies documented how arms transfers to Gulf countries advanced U.S. foreign policy and national security goals, and (3) the role of the GSD. To conduct this work, GAO analyzed U.S. government regional plans, arms transfer data from fiscal years 2005 to 2009, case-specific documentation for fiscal years 2008 and 2009, and program guidance; and interviewed officials in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. GAO recommends that (1) State take steps to improve the clarity and usefulness of DCS license data, and (2) State and DOD document their reviews of arms transfer requests. State and DOD agreed with the recommendations, but State noted that it would need additional resources to improve DCS reporting.
Notes: Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed Sept. 28, 2010).

"September 2010."

"GAO-10-918."

Includes bibliographical references.