Transfers of arms and dual-use technologies are a core feature of renewed global power competition. Arms deliveries are used as political instruments. This was prominently illustrated by the meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky at the Oval Office in February 2025. The access to emerging technologies is also both the object and driver of increased global competition. This course examines how dual-use and arms transfers shape and are shaped by geopolitics and geostrategic developments. It also explains the respective international legal framework, including the Arms Trade Treaty and export control regimes, and recent national regulations. Overall, the course offers an understanding of how arms and dual-use transfers as well as related international law are at play in a new geopolitical era.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Know the theoretical foundations and the scholarly literature on the politics and law on transnational arms transfers
2. Know the theoretical foundations and the scholarly literature on the politics and law on transnational transfers of dual-use technologies
3. Know the current developments and trends regarding global arms and dual-use transfers
4. Master multilevel analysis of a global phenomenon with geopolitical and normative implications
5. Master multidisciplinary and critical thinking regarding a complex and evolving global phenomenon
6. Ability to debate and communicate regarding the implications and significance of global developments regarding emerging technology and international (non-)cooperation
7. Ability to use Artificial Intelligence (AI; Large Language Models) as a support for analysis and writing as well as to reflect on and know its limitations.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Multilevel academic and policy analysis; effective debating; effective oral communication; effective written communication