[JURIST] A rise in defense spending and a lack of oversight in Middle Eastern and North African governments puts these nations in a high risk for defense corruption, according to a report [text, PDF] released Thursday by the Transparency International UK Defense and Security program [advocacy website]. Private sector involvement in defense and a lack of transparency in countries such as Egypt, Iran, Syria and Yemen creates risks that these defense administrations receive benefits from private companies, said the group. Defense spending in Arab countries is increasing, but research suggests that several countries act on personal interests rather than national security strategies, undermining the ability to successfully respond to security threats.The report also states that evidence of corruption already existing within armed forces is contributing to regional instability and radicalization. Transparency International states the need for international efforts regarding arms control:

Given the backdrop of conflict, high risk of diversion and in some cases critical corruption vulnerability of defence institutions, there is a strong national security case for exporting states to focus on governance. The export of military capability to a country where there is not a strong foundation for state legitimacy is an export into an inherently unstable environment. There is, however, little evidence of any significant shift in approach by major supplier states since the Arab Spring.

The report recommends building on legislative oversight, expanding the powers of anti-corruption institutions and public engagement to make progress against corruption in the area.

Earlier this month the UN released a report [JURIST report] stating that Iran’s human rights actions remain alarming despite signing the nuclear deal. Also this month an Iranian court convicted [JURIST report] a Washington Post correspondent for espionage in collecting confidential information, giving it to hostile governments and acting against national security. Also in October an Egyptian court acquitted [JURIST report] the brother of al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri of terrorism charges. Also this month human rights groups criticized [JURIST report] the UN Human Rights Council for passing a resolution on Yemen that does not call for an independent international war crimes investigation.