I would prefer that we not sell arms to developing nations but I expect the demand would not go away and would be met by other nations.
We are by far the largest supplier of arms to the third world but we are not by a long shot the only supplier and I have no doubt that a USA decision to curtail sales would be met with glee from UK, France, Russia and other eastern Europe nations.
The question is, how much would arms sales decline if we didn't sell them.
As to the interests of the ROW, we do exert a lot of financial and cultural influence and this is a form of conquest, I suppose. This kind of influence is not unwelcome but it is not an evil plot or policy by the USA it is a natural result of long term economic success under the free enterprise system.
The more homogeneous we are with the ROW, the more the interests of the ROW will be served. We can either influence or be influenced. As long as this is driven by free enterprise it seems to be a natural process.
If EU starts to gain economic parity we'll see how much restraint they apply.
Current Events » in reply to re: Hyperpower
Weapons sales