U.S. Arms Transfer

The GAO reviewed how the State Department handles potential violations of U.S. arms transfer agreements by foreign partners. It found that State largely depends on the Department of Defense to detect problems but lacks clear guidance on which incidents to investigate and how quickly to act. Investigations are inconsistent, often undocumented, and rarely shared with Congress or stakeholders, leaving critical gaps in oversight. GAO issued six recommendations to strengthen processes, improve transparency, and ensure Congress receives timely information.