Colombia has experienced significant political instability and violence over the past century due to a number of factors, including the proliferation of small-arms trafficking. The authors identify the sources and routes used by arms traffickers to acquire, buy, sell, receive, transfer, and ship weapons. They also examine the various groups and individuals who purchase and use these munitions. The authors examine Colombias political conflict through the lens of small-arms trafficking and conclude with policy implications for the United States. This report was prepared by Bruce Hoffman for the Defense Intelligence Agency. If you read my log, you may have seen a recent (November 3) Los Angeles Times op-ed by Hoffman regarding the global war on terror. When Bruce Schneier starts issuing reports like this one, I may be more interested in his analyses of various counter-terrorism strategies. |