Women for Weapons Trade Transparency

Whether you’ve worked in this field for years or are encountering these issues for the first time, Trillion Dollar War Machine offers fresh insights—and a clear sense of what’s at stake.

This recognition matters. It shows that when students, researchers, and communities push back, it disrupts the narrative that the arms industry’s presence is inevitable or uncontested.

“The presence of arms makers on campus is not always welcomed with open human arms… In 2020 and 2021, a group of students organized under the rubric of Women for Weapons Trade Transparency pressed for UTIMCO to divest from Lockheed Martin and other weapons contractors.”

The book also highlights movements pushing back. One passage spotlights our early organizing at UT Austin:

Freeman & Hartung show how lobbyists, think tanks, universities, media, Hollywood, and even the gaming industry help normalize and sell the war machine to the public.

It’s a sweeping, timely investigation into how deeply embedded the arms industry is in our daily lives.

We’re honored that Women for Weapons Trade Transparency is featured in Trillion Dollar War Machine by Ben Freeman & William Hartung of @quincyinst.bsky.social.

Their book is a definitive look at how runaway military spending drives U.S. foreign policy, drains public funds, and fuels endless war.

The 1122 Program: Militarizing Police at Taxpayers’ Expense - CIP

🌐New analysis from @w2t2impact.bsky.social uncovered how the 1122 Program channels hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars to militarize local police with minimal oversight ⬇️ Of 650 agencies using the program, 95% were law enforcement, not emergency services.
internationalpolicy.org/publications...

A Secretive Program Has Let Cops Spend Hundreds of Millions on Weapons of War, Report Shows | Common Dreams An obscure federal program has allowed local police to be armed with hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of military equipment. "Our tax dollars are being weaponized against us," said the head of t...

“Our tax dollars are being weaponized against us under the guise of ‘domestic terrorism.'”

- @nancyokail.bsky.social, President and CEO of @cipolicy.bsky.social, in @commondreams.org

Read more: www.commondreams.org/news/police-...

Read our new report: static1.squarespace.com/static/66269...

#1122Program #PublicSafety #governmentspending

An Obscure Military Program Helps Local Cops Buy Armored Cars and Spyware. It Might Balloon Under Trump. The 1122 program, as it’s known, presents a danger to protesters facing off against militarized cops, according to a new report.

No to SNAP for struggling families. Yes to BearCats. Our co-founder Lillian Mauldin spoke to @theintercept.com’s Matt Sledge:

“When so many cities face homelessness [and] food insecurity, [...] how are police justifying hundreds of thousands in military gear?”

theintercept.com/2025/10/30/m...

NEW: A federal War on Drugs-era program is arming police with BearCats, surveillance tech, and armored vehicles.

Our investigation uncovers $126.87M in 1122 Program purchases - all with no standardized reporting or federal oversight.

Read the full report: static1.squarespace.com/static/66269...

Take Action — Arms Sales Accountability Project (ASAP) Oversight. Reform. Accountability. ASAP. Tell Congress: Vote to Suspend Arms Sales to Israel

TONIGHT: Sen. Bernie Sanders will force a vote to block weapons transfers to Israel, including:

•5,000 1,000-lb bombs
•7,000 JDAM kits
•Thousands of M4 assault rifles

📞 Learn more and urge your Senators to vote yes. It only takes a minute:

armssalesaccountabilityproject.com/take-action/

U.S. Police Militarization in the Age of Trump ICE Raids Summary: President Trump rescinded restrictions on the transfer of certain military-style equipment to police on his first day in office. With recent (ICE) raids, this renewed ability of police to mil...

Trump removed restrictions on the transfer of certain military-style equipment to police, increasing danger to US residents, especially where local police cooperate with ICE raids and arrests.

@w2t2impact.bsky.social & @cipolicy.bsky.social’s Lillian Mauldin:

corruption-tracker.org/blog/u-s-pol...

What happens when immigration enforcement & police militarization collide?

Our co-founder Lillian Mauldin dives into the dangerous consequences of Trump-era ICE raids via @armstradect.bsky.social.

🔗 t.co/xQD3ii1jUF

When City Streets Become Battlefields As billions of dollars are funneled into police and military funding, we face the grim reality of a hyper-militarized society where dissent is met with force rather than dialogue.

Peaceful protests met with snipers, SWAT teams, and armored vehicles? Our new piece in @theprogressivemag.bsky.social explores the 1122 Program’s role in fueling police militarization and endangering civil liberties. #Militarization #CivilLiberty

Read here: progressive.org/op-eds/when-...

W2T2 stands with 100+ organizations against U.S. sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court.

Sanctions on the ICC weaken justice, embolden perpetrators, and harm atrocity victims.

Read the full letter here: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...

#ICC #UnitedStates #Accountability

A huge thank you to @carnegiecorp.bsky.social for supporting @w2t2impact.bsky.social’s research!

Janet Abou-Elias and Lillian Mauldin on Arms Transfers and the "Imperial Boomerang" Security Dilemma · Episode

Honored to join John Allen Gay and A.J. Manuzzi on Security Dilemma! We unpacked U.S. arms transfers, militarization of police, and Biden’s Gaza response.

Listen now—and don’t forget to apply for the Marcellus Policy Fellowship by Jan. 13!

open.spotify.com/episode/5YIW...

Excited to see our co-founders Janet Abou-Elias and Lillian Mauldin featured on Young Professionals in Foreign Policy’s panel later today, alongside Veronica Marcone!

Don't miss their insights on the Leahy Law's impact on #ForeignPolicy and accountability in arms trade.

📅 Dec 9
#LeahyLaw

US lawmakers seek to halt weapons sales to UAE, citing Sudan U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has introduced legislation seeking to halt American weapons sales to the United Arab Emirates until the United States certifies that the UAE is not arming the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, according to an early version of his announcement seen by Reuters.

Sen. Van Hollen & @repsarajacobs.bsky.social have introduced joint resolutions of disapproval to block a major arms sale to the UAE and bills to prohibit arms sales to UAE until they stop arming the RSF, a Sudanese armed group. 1/ www.reuters.com/world/us-law...

Together, we can amplify women’s voices, hold those responsible for violence accountable, and work toward a world free of violence against women.

#W2T2 #InternationalDayForTheEliminationOfVAW #WomenPeaceSecurity

Tracking War’s Disproportionate Impacts on Women | Carnegie Reporter Summer 2024 | Carnegie Corporation of New York Women have been largely sidelined from negotiations, even as they bear the brunt of violence. Where are conditions for women worsening, improving, or static?

At W2T2, we call on policymakers to prioritize women’s inclusion in negotiations and to uphold the principles of UNSCR 1325. Research shows peace agreements are 35% more likely to last 15 years when women are involved.

www.carnegie.org/our-work/art...
@carnegiecorp.bsky.social

The Women, Peace, and Security Conflict Tracker reveals alarming trends: women’s security is worsening in over half of the 25 conflict-affected countries monitored. But it also highlights their pivotal roles in recovery and peacemaking.

wpsconflicttracker.com

From Gaza to Colombia, women are disproportionately impacted by violence—facing displacement, health crises, and weaponized sexual violence. Yet, they are also leaders in peacebuilding, community support, and justice efforts.

Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we underscore the devastating impacts of armed conflict on women and demand their inclusion in peace processes.

The Women, Peace, and Security Conflict Tracker reveals alarming trends: women’s security is worsening in over half of the 25 conflict-affected countries monitored. But it also highlights their pivotal roles in recovery and peacemaking.

www.wpsconflicttracker.com

From Gaza to Colombia, women are disproportionately impacted by violence—facing displacement, health crises, and weaponized sexual violence. Yet, they are also leaders in peacebuilding, community support, and justice efforts.