Slumps won’t stop arms industry’s dance of death

The global recession has claimed millions of jobs – but the business of war has never had it so good.

This week Iraq announced it would spend a cool $5 billion buying US tanks and warplanes, while Israel has put in an order for 800 armoured personnel carriers at $3 million each.

One of Hillary Clinton’s first acts as US secretary of state was to visit Taiwan to firm up a massive arms deal. Russia has in turn secured a huge arms order from China.

Even a world sinking into economic slump won’t stop the weapons industry and its lucrative trade in death.