Arms means money

By Stephen Davis

Arms manufacturers and dealers are delighted when a new conflict breaks out. Desert Storm was a fantastic business opportunity for arms manufacturers. Every round shot through the barrel of a gun was another “ching-ching” in the cash register. They are not the only ones that benefit through conflict. The likes of Halliburton rejoice with every airstrike and artillery shell that destroys a building or some part of national infrastructure in a foreign country. Every bit of damage means the contracts to rebuild keep getting bigger. Yes they are already lining up to rebuild Libya at exorbitant rates but that is another story.

Arms manufacturers are in the spotlight again this week. In London this week some of the world’s most authoritarian regimes are attending the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition. Make no mistake, there will be some big contracts signed this week and undoubtedly some of the weapons subsequently supplied will be used to suppress local populations reeling under years of suppression.

Source: Next

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