# great-power competition

Washington Rewrites the Rules of the Arms Market: Prioritising Spending and Strategic Value

On February 6, 2026, the U.S. replaced its long-standing "first-come, first-served" approach to arms sales with a policy prioritising high defence spenders and partners deemed strategically important. The shift tightens the link between weapons exports and U.S. national interest, reshaping alliance dynamics and the global arms market.