Using these sources and methods, the Small Arms Survey has calculated that, worldwide, state militaries hold roughly 200 million small arms, out of a total of some 875 million firearms of all kinds.

Key findings of the Research Note include:

Just two countries (China and Russia) hold almost 25 per cent of the global total; and the top 20 countries hold 50 per cent;
Globally, military procurement of newly manufactured weapons outstrips destruction of surplus firearms;
A standardized international reporting system would be a great advance for global transparency and policy-making.

Small Arms Survey – Highlight: Research Note 34 – 9/2013

The organic qualities attending contemporary warfare may be underplayed by the mainstream press.  In swimming in the politics daily, it seems to me rare to see pieces on arms routing and supply.

Not too long ago and with Viktor Bout out in the wild, some interest seemed reflected in the press and in film (e.g., Lord of War, Blood Diamonds), but the etiology for the popular mind seems to have been let to go by the wayside, so here it may be refreshing as well as scary to NYT piece by former U.S. Navy Ordnance Disposal Officer John Ismay.

Apart from that, a fast tour of the war news looks about as usual — another bombing in Pakistan, a piece indirectly on the level of cooperation between anarchic Somalia and the Untied States, and some input on the field politics taking place in Syria between rebel forces less interested in theocracy and those hell bent on establishing just that.

Iraq

Al-Qaida surges back in Iraq, reviving old fears – Las Vegas Sun News – 10/17/2013.

Insight Into How Insurgents Fought in Iraq – NYTimes.com – 10/17/2013.

Report Examines MANPADS Threat and International Efforts to Address It – The FAS Blog – 10/11/2013.

This chart shows that the Iraq war was worse than we think – 10/16/2013.

Pakistan

Pakistani official killed in suicide bombing – Central & South Asia – Al Jazeera English 10/16/2013.

Somalia

We were informed of U.S. raid: Somali President – The Hindu – 10/14/2013:

“In the case of Barawe, we were informed. The way it happened, and the way it was planned was okay with us,” President Mahmoud said, describing Barawe as a target for further military action as the port had emerged as a safe haven and financial centre for Al-Shabab, the al-Qaeda affiliated militia that took responsibility for last month’s attack on the Westgate mall in Nairobi.

Syria

BBC News – Syria crisis: Who is fighting in the conflict? 10/17/2013.

Blast in Southern Syria Kills 21, Activists Say – ABC News – 10/15/2013.

Yemen

The Weekly Wonk | Drones Exposed & Wearable Galaxies – 10/17/2013.

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