May
8
Rift Between DoD and DDTC Exposed
Posted by Clif Burns at 11:13 pm on May 8, 2007
Category: DDTC
Rumors of disagreements between the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”) and the Defense Department over export controls administered by the DDTC were confirmed today by an article in Defense News. That article reported that the DoD has commissioned a study from Washington think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Services, to evaluate current export controls on defense items:
Spurred by complaints by the U.S. Central Command that export controls were hampering the war effort in Iraq, the Pentagon has hired a think tank to study export-control regulations that impede turning technology over to U.S. allies and the Iraqi military.
Rules block the U.S. military from supplying some allies and Iraqis with sensitive equipment, such as certain kinds of communications gear and night-vision goggles. That means U.S. troops must continue performing dangerous missions rather than handing them off to others, said David Scruggs, a defense industry expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Traditionally, the Pentagon has wanted to safeguard U.S. technology for use by U.S. troops. Now, however, . . . “they’re getting high-level people coming out of the field saying this is hurting us.†Export controls that prevent transferring technology are “causing casualties.â€
That’s pretty strong language.
The study is expected to take a year. Reforming current regulations would, of course, take even longer than that.
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4 Comments:
This is interesting, considering that potential presidential candidates proposing the revocation of war declaration and the strong move from congress to strangle the President (may be with a White Tie) with threats of shutting down finances for the War in Iraq.
While there could be a day that there might not be enough money sanctioned by the Congress for the US Army to bring back all that they have taken to Iraq, forcing them to leave many technologies behind (like the Russian did during their attempted invasion of Afghanistan). I wonder how well equipped is DDTC to handle such situation of forced transfer of Defense Technology?
On the other hand, while Mr. Bush is hosting White Tie Dinners, the US Soldiers are on the verge of starving (apparently they are running really low on money and may not survive through the summer without further funding)(Reminds me of the saying ‘Nero fiddles,while Rome Burns’)
In this context, Pentagon is financing think tanks to prepare reports that are not even due for a year. I wonder if this is an indication that they plan to fight the next war (with Iran) by “…handing them off to others”. I suppose we will have to wait and see.
I find this rather ironic. Just because DDTC has controls over the export of defense items doesn’t mean one can’t export. One can always apply for an export license. And as I understand it, DDTC often seeks comment from DoD when it comes to processing export license applications. So in this situation, wouldn’t DoD be in a position to influence the approval of their own license? In spite of the ability to take advantage of this conflict of interest, is DoD still just too lazy to go through the application process?
The problem that has DoD concerned is the length of time it has been taking to get export authorizations.
This is interesting. In a recent conversation with a engineer at DOD he felt it was not big deal to get a license and touted their quick turn around time. I pointed out that the licensing process takes months – even for the most simple licenses – (despite what State may say) and that they may have a quick turnaround but State doesn’t. He looked at a couple of our apps and commented the delay sure makes everyone else look bad.
