Washington wants you to believe we’re being outpaced in budget and weapons. That’s not true.
by William Hartung, Responsible Statecraft
Discussions of Pentagon spending in Washington routinely ignore the fact that at $886 billion for next year, the military budget is already at one of the highest levels since World War II. With better management and a more realistic strategy, that sum would be far more than is needed to provide an effective defense of the United States and its allies.
Unfortunately, the Pentagon, the arms industry, and their allies in Congress have failed to make a careful assessment of America’s defense needs. Instead, they’re pushing an ill-considered plan to supersize the weapons production base at the expense of other urgent national needs.
The main argument used by Pentagon budget boosters is that the United States is in danger of falling behind China in developing and deploying next-generation systems, like unpiloted vehicles controlled by artificial intelligence. This approach would also include taxpayer subsidies for the building of new weapons factories, which could lead to a permanent expansion of the arms sector. Doing all of this could push the Pentagon budget well over $1 trillion in the next few years, a huge and unnecessary spending binge that would further militarize our economy at the expense of investments in addressing major challenges like climate change and outbreaks of disease.
Recent Posts
Drone Warfare Has Exploded The Myth Of Reactor Safety
January 10, 2025
Take Action NowCheap drones can now penetrate the most sophisticated security perimeters — and nuclear reactors are a potential site of…
What Threats Face Pro-Palestine Activists As Trump Returns?
January 10, 2025
Take Action NowThe U.S. movement must be as resolute as the Palestinians themselves, who have demonstrated that, no matter what Israel does…
The Los Angeles Fires Are A Sign Of Things To Come
January 9, 2025
Take Action NowAround the world, dramatic swings between heavy rain and drought are increasing exponentially, according to new research.……
Tech Billionaires Are Lining Up To Kiss Trump’s Ring
January 9, 2025
Take Action NowBillionaires gonna billionaire — and lick the boots of whoever will bring them more riches and impunity.By Natasha…