Colby Goodman is a Senior Researcher at Transparency International Defence and Security (TI-DS) and TI-United States, and an expert commentator on US security assistance abroad. He conducts research and provides advice on corruption risks within the international arms trade and other forms of external assistance to defense forces.   Goodman has fought to reduce corruption risks and prevent harm in US security assistance over the past 15 years by uncovering some of the deeper challenges and illuminating ways to address these challenges. Three-parts policy sleuth and one-part advocate, he has exposed key corruption-related risks in US counterterrorism aid and in changes to US controls on commercial arms sales as the former Director of the Security Assistance Monitor program. Government officials or congressional staff have used his insights to stop illegal trafficking networks in Africa, enhance US oversight over gifts of US military weapons and training, and push for effective controls on commercial arms sales around the world.   From 2006-2009, he helped bring to light the importance of regulating arms agents or brokers to prevent corruption and the diversion of weapons as a Policy Director for Amnesty International USA. He helped organize a special showing of the movie Lord of War in Congress and at the United Nations to help create new spaces for discussion. Later, he served as Deputy Director at the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs Regional Office in Africa to support African efforts in establishing effective controls on conventional arms transfers.   Goodman’s commentary or opinion pieces have appeared in major US newspapers and media outlets covering US foreign policy and the Pentagon, including the Washington Post, the New York Times, Defense News, Foreign Policy, and Military Times. He has written two widely quoted reports on US firearms trafficking to Mexico for the Woodrow Wilson Center. Fascinated with spy and fantasy/sci-fi novels alike, Goodman is also developing a new blog where readers can learn and discuss US foreign policy and security assistance challenges through fiction. Goodman is a member of the Forum on the Arms Trade’s Steering Committee. 

​