The sale of conventional military weapons across the world was nearly $37 billion in 2004—about $8 billion higher than the previous year, according to a recent Congressional Research Service report. The US share was about 34 percent, less than in most recent years. Russia came in second, with Britain, Israel, and France ringing in at three, four, and five. The big buyer among developing countries? China. Act surprised.
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…