Speakers
Omar Dahi
Professor of Economics, Hampshire College and Director of the Security in Context research network
Diego Lopes da Silva
Senior Researcher, Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
Nancy Okail
President and CEO, Center for International Policy
Emma Soubrier
Director, Pathways to Renewed and Inclusive Security in the Middle East (PRISME) Initiative
Moderator
Nan Tian
Senior Researcher and Acting Programme Director, Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
About the Webinar
In 2023, the number of violent armed conflicts has reached its highest level since 1946, coinciding with the highest recorded levels of military expenditure worldwide. These figures reflect the recent significant deterioration in global peace and security. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region exemplifies this escalating volatility, where the numerous ongoing conflicts have had dire consequences for political stability, human security, humanitarian conditions, and sustainable development. The issue of military expenditure and, by extension, the military is front and center to these regional developments. Data from the latest SIPRI Military Expenditure Database (updated April 2024) shows that military spending for countries in the MENA region totaled $252 billion in 2023, 12% higher than 2022 and almost double the world growth rate. This 12% increase was the second fastest behind Europe. In addition to the high and rising levels of military expenditure, countries in the MENA region have the highest military burden (military spending as a share of GDP) and highest military spending as a share of government spending compared to all other regions in the world.
Arab Center Washington DC (ACW), in partnership with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme (MILAP), are organizing this webinar to present highlights from the latest data and discuss possible drivers of military spending and its implications for transparency and accountability, socio-economic development, political power of the military, and the rights and freedoms of domestic populations. Who are the major military spenders in the region? What are the trends of military expenditure in MENA countries? Are there insights into what the military expenditure is being spent on? How transparent and accountable are these military budgets? How significant is the role of external military assistance in the region? Given the high military burden and government priority placed on the military, what are the potential developmental impacts in the region? Is there a link between military expenditure and authoritarian tendencies and the declining rights and freedoms of domestic populations? What are some recommendations to ensure transparency and accountability in military expenditure, along with sufficient investments in human and socio-economic development and democratic governance?
Featured image credit: US DoD
