Al Yamamah Scandal’s Legacy: New Report Reveals How Arms Deals Undermine Global Security and Widen Inequality
London, UK – A decades-old scandal involving a massive arms deal between the UK and Saudi Arabia is back in the spotlight, as a new anthology, “Monstrous Anger of the Guns,” lays bare the corrosive effects of the global arms trade. The revelations come at a critical moment, with escalating military spending and conflicts worldwide, prompting urgent questions about the true cost of “security” and the role of the military-industrial complex.
The £43 Billion Al Yamamah Deal: A History of Corruption
In 1985, Saudi Arabia purchased £43 billion worth of fighter jets (Panavia Tornado) and other military equipment from Great Britain, alongside an agreement for substantial petroleum deliveries to the UK. This deal, known as Al Yamamah, wasn’t secured through fair competition – France was a strong contender – but through a staggering £6 billion in bribes. The book details how funds flowed to Bae Systems, Mark Thatcher (son of then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher), and even a son of the Saudi Defense Minister, highlighting a deeply entrenched system of corruption. This wasn’t just about money; the authors suggest a chilling connection to the events of 9/11, alleging that diverted funds indirectly impacted the perpetrators.
From Afghanistan to Ukraine: The Failed Promise of Security
“Monstrous Anger of the Guns,” edited by Rhona Michie, Andrew Feinstein, and Paul Rogers, doesn’t dwell solely on the past. It argues that the logic underpinning the arms trade – that arming nations ensures security – is demonstrably false. The authors dissect the outcomes of interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, demonstrating how these conflicts, fueled by arms sales, led to instability, the rise of extremist groups like ISIS, and ultimately, a decrease in security for all involved. The ongoing war in Ukraine, despite initial hopes for a negotiated peace in April 2022, is presented as another example of this pattern. The West, the book contends, isn’t any safer for its continued military involvement.
The Shadow World of Arms: Beyond the Battlefield
The anthology goes beyond simply documenting conflicts. It exposes the arms trade’s far-reaching consequences, including its impact on diplomacy, the global order, and even the climate crisis. It highlights how arms exporters actively damage the countries they supply, disproportionately affecting women and children. A particularly disturbing example cited is the use of Palestine as a testing ground for Israeli weapon manufacturers, allowing them to refine and then sell their products at a premium. The book also draws a direct line between the arms trade and historical colonialism, pointing to how arms were used to maintain exploitative systems in Latin America and beyond.
Resistance and the Fight for a Fairer World
“Monstrous Anger of the Guns” isn’t just a critique; it’s a call to action. It examines various forms of resistance to the arms trade, from peace movement campaigns and student protests targeting university involvement in military research, to legal challenges and the courageous actions of trade unionists refusing to transport arms. The resistance in Hawaii against the US military’s use of the islands as a testing ground and logistical hub (including participation in the Rimpac maneuvers) is highlighted as a powerful example of local opposition.
The authors conclude with a stark statistic: between January 2020 and January 2024, the world’s five richest men amassed $869 billion in wealth, while the poorest 60% of the global population – roughly five billion people – became poorer. This widening gap, they argue, is directly linked to the prioritization of arms sales over human development. The fight against the arms trade, therefore, is inextricably linked to the fight for a more just and equitable world.
“Monstrous Anger of the Guns: How the Global Arms Trade is Ruining the World and What We Can Do About It” is available now from Pluto Press (Paperback: £12.99, E-book: £7.99). For readers seeking to understand the complex web of power and profit driving global conflict, this book offers a vital and unsettling insight. Stay informed with Archyde.com for ongoing coverage of global security issues and the fight for a more peaceful future.
