What is the legal basis for most international programs governing the export of defense articles and services?

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) serves as the primary legal framework governing the export of defense articles and services. This comprehensive set of regulations, managed by the U.S. Department of State, establishes guidelines that dictate which military-related items can be exported, to whom, and under what conditions. The primary objective of ITAR is to ensure that U.S. defense capabilities and technology do not fall into the hands of unauthorized foreign entities, thereby safeguarding national security interests.

The regulations delineate the process for obtaining export licenses and require compliance from all U.S. entities involved in the manufacturing or sale of defense articles. ITAR’s extensive list of controlled items, referred to as the U.S. Munitions List (USML), plays a significant role in identifying which goods and services are subject to export controls, thus reinforcing the U.S. government's efforts to regulate international arms trade effectively.

While the other options listed may relate to aspects of defense trade or military transactions, they do not serve as the overarching legal framework for the export of defense articles and services in the way that ITAR does. For example, the National Defense Authorization Act primarily authorizes budgetary provisions and policy for defense spending, while the Defense Export Control Act sets forth the legislative