ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

The global arms trade is huge. While it’s hard to pin down an exact value of arms transfers, VisualCapitalist's Jeff Desjardins notes the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates that the number was at least $76 billion in 2013, with the caveat that it is likely higher. The volume of transfers have been trending upwards now for roughly 15 years. Volume of Arms Transfers Courtesy of: SIPRI But where are these arms going? The answer, as VisualCapitalist's Jeff Desjardins explains, is that they are increasingly going to militarize the Middle East, which has increased imports of arms by 61% in 2011-2015, compared to the previous five year period. The Syrian Civil War now entering its sixth year, and it’s clear that conflict is stopping no time soon in the Middle East. As a result of this and the various proxy wars, complicated relationships , and a continuing threat from ISIS, neighboring countries in the region have loaded up on arms. That’s why Saudi Arabia,