The United States maintained its dominance in the international arms market last year, especially in sales to developing nations, according to a new Congressional report.

The United States was the leader in total worldwide sales in 2002, with about $13.3 billion, or 45.5 percent of global conventional weapons deals, a rise from $12.1 billion in 2001. Of that, $8.6 billion was to developing nations, or about 48.6 percent of conventional arms deals concluded with developing nations last year, according to the report. (via the New York Times)

Apparently, selling arms is okay as long as they're not being sold to or by certain nations. But we're willing to bet that the U.S. has financed its share of terrorists.

Blowback's a bitch.