Past Events

A Special Ambassadors’ Forum:“The Current State of American Diplomacy and Future Outlook”
A Special Ambassadors’ Forum:“The Current State of American Diplomacy and Future Outlook”
In an uncertain political environment, with the retirement or resignation of so many experienced senior career Foreign Service Officers, American diplomacy is in danger of falling into a state of disarray. Can the United States maintain its global diplomatic primacy and leadership? Two former senior...
Biological Terrorism: International Dimensions
Biological Terrorism: International Dimensions
March 28, 2019 IUCTS Biological security concerns ranging from mother nature to man-made threats by state and non-state actors transcends geographic regions. Is the international community prepared to identify, prevent, counter, and respond to future biological challenges? What are the past less...
Security Strategies for Global Supply Chains
Security Strategies for Global Supply Chains
Many industries critical to national security depend on supply chains that today are highly interconnected and global in reach. Attacks and other disruptions to these supply chains can have serious downstream consequences to our economy, infrastructure, and military capabilities. The U.S. government...
"The Role of Diplomacy in Combating Terrorism: Past Lessons and Future Outlook"
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR TERRORISM STUDIES AT POTOMAC INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES A Special Seminar on "The Role of Diplomacy in Combating Terrorism: Past Lessons and Future Outlook"
Combating Terrorism: National, Regional, and Global Lessons for the Next Decade and Beyond
Combating Terrorism: National, Regional, and Global Lessons for the Next Decade and Beyond
The Potomac Institute's International Center for Terrorism Studies on April 30th, 2018 held their 20th annual event on, "Combating Terrorism: National, Regional, and Global Lessons for the Next Decade and Beyond". Terrorism by state and non-state actors poses threats to individuals, communities, nat...
Balkan Security Challenges: Past Lessons and Future Outlook
Balkan Security Challenges: Past Lessons and Future Outlook
The Potomac Institute's International Center for Terrorism Studies hosted a seminar on March 1, 2018 entitled, "Balkan Security Challenges: Past Lessons and Future Outlook". The Balkans remain vulnerable to several security concerns, including organized crime, terrorism, the refugee crisis, politica...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the set of regulations that limit U.S. exports in the name of national security, need to be rescinded with new enabling legislation because they continue to be a threat to the United States (U.S.) national security and economic interests despite a well-intended Executive reform initiative that has taken place over the last seven years.

The Potomac Institute has followed and actively engaged in the decades of debate surrounding U.S. export control rules and laws. The Institute noted in 2009 that the Executive Branch began its Export Control Reform (ECR) Initiative to address the many concerns of various stakeholders, such as those highlighted in a 2009 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report that examined the impacts of these rules and laws.12In 2015, the Institute opened a center focused on using science to improve regulations and regulatory policies –the Regulatory Science & Engineering Center (RSEC). One of its first studies was following up on the current reform initiatives taking place regarding the ITAR and determining what kinds of impacts the ITAR were still having on national security and economic interest related to science & technology (S&T).

In carrying out this study the Institute conducted an extensive literature review regarding government, industry and academic accounts of the impacts the ITAR were having on the U.S. Additionally, the study team held workshops and seminars with experts in actually implementing the ITAR reform efforts and leaders from the sciences, defense industry, information technology sector, academia, military and legal communities.

Our analysis found that the ITAR restricts companies’ abilities to develop and export certain technologies with potential military application. The regulations simultaneously inhibit international collaboration in relevant research and development, banning industry and academic scientists from sharing technical information with foreign entities and individuals. In today’s interconnected, globalized world that struggles with a diverse array of threats, ITAR impedes domestic scientific growth and weakens the national security of the U.S. and its foreign partners. In many ways our findings and conclusions reflect the same kinds of issues the NAS identified in 2009. Although, the recommendations of that study indicated the best solution was Executive rather than Legislative because it was believed Executive action could act more swiftly to address the many problems that needed rapid solutions.

After seven years, our analysis indicates that many of the same problems still exist that prompted the reform effort indicating that a new strategy needs to be considered. Efforts to reform ITAR have not been successful because the underlying assumptions of the ITAR framework are flawed. Therefore, we conclude that the best course of action is to sunset ITAR.

This report is a detailed account of our study methods and a thorough description of the findings, conclusions and recommendations from our analysis regarding the impacts of the ITAR on U.S. national security and economic interests related to S&T. The following is an abbreviated description of these findings, conclusions and recommendations.

1. National Research Council. 2009. Beyond “Fortress America”: National Security Controls on Science and Technology in a Globalized World. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press. doi:10.17226/12567.                                                

         Please click here to download the entire report.