U.S. the World's Leading Arms Dealer

Consider it a jobs program for "peacekeeping" forces.

Global arms transfer agreements between governments – both developing and developed – nearly doubled last year to $85.3 billion, reaching their highest level since 2004.

The U.S. dominated as a supplier, making $66.3 billion from transactions with other nations – a record high representing nearly 78% of all weapons sales, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service.

The haul is more than triple the $21.4 billion the U.S. made from arms agreements in 2010.