Definition
Directed-energy weapons (DEWs) proliferation refers to the spread of nonlethal directed energy weapon technology from developed states to repressive regimes, creating new capabilities for domestic crowd control and protest suppression.
Current State
The technological foundation for N-DEWs already exists in commercial airport body scanner systems. Companies have attempted to sell ADT technology to foreign corporations, and similar scanning technology is sold globally. This creates a proliferation pathway that bypasses traditional arms control mechanisms.
Strategic Risks
As analyzed by Mitchell Croom (2016), N-DEWs present unique proliferation concerns:
1. Technological simplicity: Based on existing commercial technology rather than exotic physics
2. No international regulation: Unlike conventional weapons, no global governance framework exists
3. Attractive to repressive regimes: Provides cost-effective crowd dispersal without casualties
4. Democratic erosion: Enables governments to suppress public protest at will
Policy Recommendations
Croom's analysis leads to three key recommendations:
1. Prohibit N-DEW use in policing: The U.S. should ban domestic application of these weapons for crowd control
2. International arms-control regime: Establish multilateral governance limiting N-DEW spread
3. Use standards propagation: Create and promote appropriate use guidelines globally
The core argument is that while N-DEWs may enhance military capability, their proliferation to repressive regimes creates a "global rollback of democracy" by making public protest nearly impossible without government consent.