Foreword
Ideally, the world would be “free from the scourge of war,” says the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), whic President Gerald Ford signed into law in 1976. But the Act also acknowledges that use of force is often necessary in international affairs. “To this end, this Act authorizes sales by the United States Government to friendly countries having sufficient wealth to maintain and equip their own military forces at adequate strength.” The AECA says that Congress must approve arms sales to foreign governments unless there is an emergency of national security, in which case the President may bypass Congress. These…
