( CNN ) -- ISIS , al Qaeda , weapons of mass destruction -- it 's easy to understand why these threats to global stability consistently make the headlines . But it does n't take a nuclear device to devastate countries . While the international community has mobilized to tackle global threats posed by terrorism and nuclear proliferation , hundreds of thousands of people have already been killed by conventional weapons that have largely been overlooked by headlines and policymakers . Despite the immeasurable human suffering caused from Latin America to the Middle East by conventional weapons such as machine guns and grenade launchers , it has been an uphill battle to generate the international will to control and regulate this trade -- until now . After years of difficult negotiations , governments joined together to adopt the Arms Trade Treaty . The treaty , which enters into force this week , is the only global , legally binding defense against the irresponsible and largely unregulated international arms trade . I spent more than five years advising the United Nations and the diplomats that drafted it , and the treaty has enjoyed widespread global support since the U.N. General Assembly adopted it in April 2013 . Indeed , only three countries opposed its adoption : Iran , Syria and North Korea . And it 's a good treaty . It 's not a perfect one , but for the first time , the estimated $ 85 billion annual trade will have clear rules : outright prohibition of some arms transfers , greater scrutiny over others and government obligations to consider whether a transfer would contribute to violations of international humanitarian law , human rights law or be used to commit gender-based violence before a transfer is granted . In short , the treaty represents a global foundation from which countries can build and adapt their own policies . And , by formalizing the global rules of the road to help prevent powerful weapons from falling into the hands of bad actors , the security of the United States and our allies will be strengthened . So why is the United States suddenly absent from the front lines of recent discussions to shape the treaty 's future ? To its credit , the Obama administration actively participated in treaty negotiations , demanding that the text meet U.S. requirements , including that there be no change in U.S. law . These concessions allowed the United States to sign the treaty three months after it was opened for signature , and as a result the United States maintained that it wanted to be part of the treaty and help plan for its future . Yet at a meeting to discuss the future of the Arms Trade Treaty last month in Berlin , the United States was conspicuously absent . The Obama administration said it skipped the gathering because it was protesting the decision not to allow all U.S. civil society organizations and industry into the meeting . The Berlin meeting was only open to those organizations that could demonstrate a record of actively promoting the Arms Trade Treaty and supporting its objectives and purpose , preventing groups that have worked to try to undermine the treaty , such as the National Rifle Association , from admission . As a result , other governments are now questioning the depth of U.S. commitment to the treaty . And while missing one meeting may not harm the United States moving forward , its strong-arm tactics hardly seems constructive . Insisting other governments give in to U.S. demands and open the meeting to treaty opponents and nonsignatories alienates treaty supporters . After all , the treaty is no longer being negotiated -- after Wednesday it is international law , and it is time to set the treaty up for success in the long term . Of course , the Arms Trade Treaty is far from a panacea -- it is not going to put an end to all global illicit arms transfers . But it will help states develop laws , regulations and good practice to inhibit illegal and irresponsible transfers and better regulate the legitimate flow of weapons to help reduce human suffering . The U.S. reluctance to engage constructively is all the more disappointing because it has good practices and experiences on the arms trade to promote and share with other countries , and also , as the largest arms producer and exporter , its views and actions carry significant weight internationally . This treaty has been years in the making , and will help address an issue that is far too often overlooked . The United States should therefore embrace the leadership platform -- something it ca n't do from the sidelines .
Conventional weapons are often overlooked in headlines , Rachel Stohl says . Stohl : Arms Trade Treaty enters into force this week . U.S. must take leadership role , she says .