In focus this month: the Islamic State (IS) group. The violent advances of IS and the evolving humanitarian crisis in northern Iraq have led several countries to supply military aid to Iraq's armed forces and the Kurdish regional forces in Iraq.
This raises questions about the long-term consequences of such supplies. In addition, Arab states have joined the United States in long-range air attacks against IS in Syria.
The SIPRI Arms Transfers Database provides information about transfers of major arms to Iraq and Syria. It also provides data on how Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have recently invested in imported long-range strike capabilities.
The recent SIPRI publication 'Transfers of small arms and light weapons to fragile states: strengthening oversight and control' discusses the utility and risks of supplying arms to conflict regions and fragile states.