US Media Reports: Biden Administration Selling Weapons to Numerous Autocratic Nations

In 2022, the US sold weapons to 142 countries and territories, amounting to $85 billion in bilateral sales, according to The Intercept.

Out of the total 142 countries to which the US made arms sales last year, at least 48 (or 57%) were classified as autocracies.

According to the State Department Directorate of Defense Trade Control’s country-level data for Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) authorization in the previous year, and the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) figures for fiscal year 2022,

Under the FMS (Foreign Military Sales) program, the US Government acts as an intermediary, purchasing raw materials from companies and then delivering the goods to foreign recipients. Additionally, the US meets foreign demands through the DCS (Direct Commercial Sales) program.

The result of an agreement between a US company and a foreign government, the DCS system requires the approval from both entities.

The report suggested that, initially, Biden had indicated that his arms sales policy would prioritize strategic and human rights concerns over economic interests; however, shortly after assuming office, he authorized weapons sales to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other autocratic states.

According to The Intercept, the US government’s data does not provide a detailed breakdown of its recipients, instead using the term “various” often. This makes it difficult to determine the exact number of sales to autocratic countries, as well as to identify the nations and their governing style.

The news contradicts the White House’s assertions of backing global democracies and Vice President Biden’s avowed commitment to strengthening international democracies and weakening autocratic regimes worldwide.

Since becoming president, Biden has stated multiple times that democracies have become stronger, while autocracies have become weaker; however, his own administration continues to arm and strengthen global autocracies.

At a speech in Warsaw last year, Biden declared that the struggle between democracy and autocracy is one of “freedom versus suppression” and “a system of rules-based global order versus one controlled by raw power.”

According to the White House’s 2022 National Security Strategy, the most urgent strategic issue they are faced with is from nations who utilize authoritarian control combined with a foreign policy that seeks to alter existing order.

In 2022, the US set a record for arms sales to other countries, with $206 billion in total sales surpassing the previous high of $192 billion under Donald Trump, according to the State Department. This marks the highest figure in years.

The US not only fulfills its national interests through sales, but additionally arms up countries through its military aid programs.

Since the start of the conflict, the US has provided more than $75 billion in military and economic assistance to Ukraine, funded by taxpayers’ money. This is the largest chunk of assistance given to any other country.

Security assistance is often provided via the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which expedites the process of sending arms to Ukraine. This type of authority has been a great help in providing aid programs.

For the 2023 budget, Congress has granted authorization of up to $1 billion in weapons aid for Taiwan through the PDA program.

Despite claims of upholding human rights, leading world organizations and countries are failing to provide the necessary assistance and aid to Third World countries that remain suppressed. This lack of funding comes at a time when humanity is in desperate need.

A report has found that despite there being enough food produced in the world to feed the entire global population, there are still up to one billion people who suffer from hunger.