Infographic: Who supplies the world’s weapons?
13 April 2012, 02:18PM
Did you know just six countries supply a whopping 74 percent of the world’s weapons?
Last year, when protesters throughout the Arab world demanded change, military forces in Egypt, Syria, Bahrain and beyond responded with deadly force, staining the streets with the blood of more than 8,000 people.
This could happen because countries including US, Russia, UK and France have been exporting bombs, bullets and other weapons into the region for years -- putting their own multi-billion-dollar profits above the value of human lives.
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Comments
gorry | Posted on 6 December 2012, 10:57PM | Report comment
i dont know why no one of president us get the title war crime?
Michael Wild | Posted on 6 December 2012, 09:21PM | Report comment
Dear Nicholas. If you have a closer look you will see it refers to deaths in “The Arab Spring Protests of 2011-2”. There were no Arab Spring protests in Israel in this time or if they were there weren’t any deaths. I have grave reservations about whether this campaign is realistic and note in this infor-graphic is in some ways superficial (extremely expensive weapons for example tend to not be anti-personnell) but the info-graphic comes from the Amnesty International’s Head Office (I forget the title). It’s not an “Amnesty Interanational Australia’s slant”.
To Vlad and Glen. America sells lots of arms at good prices to Israel but has NOT sold or given them nuclear weapons. If the US had done so secretly it would have got out by now. I don’t know where you got the idea that “we” give them from.
davep | Posted on 6 December 2012, 10:04AM | Report comment
“The “COEXIST” bumper sticker perhaps espouses the most dangerously deceptive religious viewpoint in the world. It pretends neutrality and objectivity but, in reality, it evangelically promotes the thinking that if we all just abandoned our narrow-minded beliefs in truth, and instead thought like them, there would be peace in the world. Ironic that those calling for the end of truth claims make one up of their own and deceive themselves into thinking that it is different than other truth claims. At least we openly acknowledge we are promoting a specific idea to the exclusion of others.” - quote from monergism books
Glen | Posted on 6 December 2012, 08:25AM | Report comment
To: Vlad
Vlad, it could be because the U.S. does not sale weapons to Israel! We give them to Israel for free, and will do so until it is time no more.
arac | Posted on 6 December 2012, 07:54AM | Report comment
All the atheist people believe in zombies, vampires. But to believe in God is so boring, isn’t Mr Drake?
drake | Posted on 6 December 2012, 06:17AM | Report comment
Soo many people thinking religion is going to help. Maybe you should spend more time doing and helping, you know instead of just sitting on your ass praying to ??? Oh right big fake guy in the sky. Do you people honestly think there is some all powerful and good being in the sky? Why would this even be happening now? I guess they just didn’t prey hard enough huh? You people make me sick, why don’t you guys bring the crusades back, or the childrens crusade, you all remember what happened to those idiots right? I wish the kids were older and smarter to see through the lies before they died brutal deaths in the name of god (rape, torture, massacres) some god you guys have there lol but seriously, this world needs to unite, religion won’t be the glue here there is no way. We need something different, smarter scientific people in office will probably be a great start, they actually have working minds! Too much corruption these days in office. Have a good day everyone!
Vlad | Posted on 6 December 2012, 05:55AM | Report comment
Why is it you guys didn’t mention, at all, the US sales of every sort of available weapon, including nuclear ones, to Israel? Where would you guys squeeze those billions of dollars into your graphic?
Nicholas | Posted on 6 December 2012, 05:17AM | Report comment
I am concerned to know why the figures above do not mention Israel. In particular I would like to know why there are no figures relating to USA’s supply of weapons to Israel under the section “Who’s fuelling Bloodshed In The Middle East & Africa”. Is this an Amnesty International Australia slant?
Glen | Posted on 6 December 2012, 05:01AM | Report comment
There are over 1,135 small arms companies based in over 98 Third World Countries that make and distribute their various small arms and ammunition.
Yes, we tell our children not to do what we do…and wonder why our children go their own way.
Peter Hunkin | Posted on 5 September 2012, 04:21PM | Report comment
I’m against murdering innocent people and if illegal weapons is the cause then I’m against it.
Jasmin | Posted on 17 July 2012, 04:04PM | Report comment
Ruth, you wrote:
‘imagine a war fought only with words.’
* I would love to see Albert Einstein, Archimedes and Socrates fight it out.
Ruth Mountain | Posted on 17 July 2012, 02:12AM | Report comment
imagine a war fought only with words.
Jasmin | Posted on 11 July 2012, 09:52PM | Report comment
I am SO SO SO sorry to anyone I may have offended here. I read over my comments. Some of them were plain mean. I am truly, deeply sorry.
Kalim and Leonardo: It is nice to see we are all learning here. All of us.
:-)
Kalim | Posted on 11 July 2012, 08:46PM | Report comment
Great write-up. I learn a little shmetoing more challenging on different blog sites everyday. It is stimulating to see content from other writers. I’d love to use some of your content on my blogs if you don’t mind. Needless to say I’ll give you a link to your blog. Many thanks for sharing.
Leonardo | Posted on 11 July 2012, 05:02PM | Report comment
Its like you learn my mind! You seem to know so much approximately this, like you wrote the guide in it or soimnhetg. I think that you just can do with a few p.c. to drive the message house a little bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.
Jasmin | Posted on 9 July 2012, 11:14AM | Report comment
@ Ajax, nice of you to assume we are overlooking anything here -
- do you know our minds?
* You must be psychic.
OK, they need to sort out their conflicts. Yes: obviously. For now, we’d like them to not have guns and see if that helps.
Jasmin | Posted on 9 July 2012, 11:12AM | Report comment
@Nirmal Noel
you wrote:
“...and it is all to assist the survival of the fittest.”
* almost anyone can use a gun…
... if they have access to one and choose to use it.
Survival of the fittest? No. Survival of the most corrupt.
Keumhee | Posted on 9 July 2012, 11:01AM | Report comment
Hello all! I stumbled aorcss these blogs just yesterday while looking for some information, have to say there is a lot going on here! Hope to speak with you all soon
Jasmin | Posted on 6 July 2012, 12:01PM | Report comment
Hi Michael,
how are you?
I’m aware of all this. I still believe it is worthwhile. If we didn’t even try, those who do accept and distribute would not be able to. As for the wasted food. Ideally, we would be able to get that back somehow and distribute it well before it goes off. If this is not possible, at least an attempt was made. We waste a lot of food in the West.
I am not saying this is ok. It is wasted time, investment (including energy and finances) and of course food - which could otherwise be used for basic nourishment & save lives. It’s terrible really. But what choice do we have but to try?
Perhaps something is going wrong in the negotiation process or the governments don’t hold up their end of the bargain (it seems that is the case)... or they blatantly lie when they give the go ahead. I don’t know the ins and outs of the process. I just know that it happens and needs to continue, so that at least those whom honour agreements, may allow their countrymen the assistance they require.
I like what ‘Medecins Sans Frontiers’ (Doctors Without Borders) does - negotiate (and reduce compromise on ethic principles etc. to make best decisions). They try to get medicine (and nourishment, amongst other resources - including medical staff and technicians) to those in most need, with least hope of survival otherwise.
What is happening in Syria at the moment is very sad. One Doctor, Dr Greg Elder (Deputy Director of Operations, Medecins Sanss Frontieres, France) says, “Four months ago en route to work I read an article about how the blood transfusion services in Syria had been taken over by the Ministry of Defence as a means to target patients injured in demonstrations against the government.”
(I found this in an article on pg. 10 of ‘interACTION’ magazine - issue 17.
* The article originally appeared in the British Medical Journal in February this year (2012)
Yes, there are a lot of microfinancing organisations around the world and help people on their feet.
Michael Hunt | Posted on 5 July 2012, 08:48PM | Report comment
Hi Jasmin,
Taking money out of crime and re-investing in worthwhile projects is always a good intention however there are also corruption amongst government officials.
I’ve heard of international aid organisations that delivery tonnes of food or resources but it sits on the wharf and rots because the govt. is either unable or unwilling to distribute it.
I support your idea of a hand up, not a handout. I really admire organisations that give microfinance to entrepreneurs and teach business skills to the people.