Arms and the State

Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan. He recently wrote an article in Al-Quds al-Arabi, linked to recent developments in Jordan, where a number of individuals were arrested for allegedly engaging in the manufacturing of weapons. He argued in favor of states in the Arab world having a monopoly over all arms, so that societies could engage in peaceful political action leading to strong institutions in support of pluralism.