Export Control Regimes—Present-Day Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

The system of export control regimes is an important instrument to prevent the proliferation of both weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons. However, this system faces several structural and recent challenges. The regimes are informal, and consequently, their measures are non-binding upon states. Second, the regimes consist of a selective group of countries, excluding some dominant arms exporters. New technology is rapidly changing the military field, and it is difficult for the export control regimes to keep up with these developments. Further, most of the regimes were designed when states were the most important international actors while currently legitimate and illegitimate non-state actors play an ever-increasing role for export controls. In addition, it is unclear how the regimes will advance with the multipolar world order of the twenty-first century. All new developments could lead to the proliferation of weapons, making efforts to prevent proliferation more relevant than ever. There are several opportunities to reform and strengthen the export control regimes. Cooperation could help the regimes to remain relevant. The sharing of good practices can help the regimes to find the least disruptive and effective non-proliferation measures. Setting up a paradigm-based regime instead of a weapon-based regime may be more suitable for the future. In addition, a revision of the decision-making process would help the regimes to respond swiftly to developments in the field.