I learn from Registan that the guy who invented the AK turned 90 yesterday. Joe Harlan reflects:

The most common assault rifle on earth, being used by children in Africa and old men in Paktia, is the end result of an arms glut never before witnessed in history. The armies of some two to three dozen countries use Kalashnikovs or an unlicensed copy. Armed non state actors on every continent except Antarctica have used it. The production of these weapons is estimated at roughly 100 million units, give or take, and is being copied — by hand in some places, or by industrial manufacturers in others.

I wonder if Kalashnikov ever got to talk to IDF Maj. Uziel Gal.