In 2026, there are more active conflicts than at any other time since World War II. Globally, defense spending is reaching new heights. For most of us, this is horrible news. But for arms producing companies, it’s all good: revenues are skyrocketing. So, in this episode we ask: how do corporate profits incentivize war?
Guests:
Andrew Feinstein is the Executive Director of Shadow World Investigations. Originally from South Africa, he was a member of the African National Congress (ANC), which was voted into Parliament in the country’s first post-apartheid election. He served on several oversight Committees, but eventually resigned from his position in protest of the ANC and government’s refusal to allow a full investigation into massive corruption in a $10 billion arms deal. Andrew is the author of several books on the arms trade including The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade. You can follow Andrew on X at @andrewfeinstein and Instagram at @andrewfeinstein.
Janet Abou-Elias is a co-founder of Women for Weapons Trade Transparency and a researcher with the Democratizing Foreign Policy Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Her research focuses on arms trade policies, international humanitarian law, and U.S. foreign policy. Connect with Janet on Linkedin here and on X at @janetabouelias.
This conversation was recorded on July 27th, 2026.
Correction: Both guests mention an incident that occurred on February 28, 2026, when the U.S. bombed a girl’s school in Minab, Iran. The guests cite different numbers of fatalities from this attack. We found slightly different numbers that also include some adults and boys. Here are some resources:
Pre-Order the Book: Making a Killing: How the West Profits from Slaughter in Gaza and Yemen (out Nov 24, 2026)
References:
Resources mentioned by guests:
Disrupting Peace is a production of The World Peace Foundation. The show is produced by Bridget Conley and Emily Shaw. Engineering by Jacob Winik and Aja Simpson. Marketing and Social media by Frayashti Shekhawat. Show artwork by Simon Fung.
Disrupting Peace is a production of The World Peace Foundation. This episode was produced by Bridget Conley, Emily Shaw, and Anna Van Dine. Engineering by Jacob Winik and Aja Simpson. Marketing and Social media by Frayashti Shekhawat. Show artwork by Simon Fung.
Special thanks to Lisa Avery, Michelle Anderson, Alex de Waal, Anna Van Dine, and the Tufts Digital Design Studio team.
Find out more about the World Peace Foundation at worldpeacefoundation.org. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @worldpeacefdtn.
