![Even During an Ongoing Pandemic the World Cant Quit Weapons](https://www.commondreams.org/media-library/the-recent-increases-in-u-s-military-spending-can-be-primarily-attributed-to-heavy-investment-in-research-and-development-and.jpg?id=32256833&width=1200&height=400&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C91%2C0%2C91)
"The recent increases in U.S. military spending can be primarily attributed to heavy investment in research and development, and several long-term projects such as modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal and large-scale arms procurement." (Photo: WikiImages/Pixabay/cc)
Even During an Ongoing Pandemic the World Cant Quit Weapons
A new report found that military spending around the world got a boost last year despite floundering economies due to COVID-19.
Despite the fact that the global gross domestic product fell by nearly 5 percent because of the COVID-19 pandemic, military spending worldwide increased by almost 3 percent, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
SIPRI's annual assessment released on Monday once again found the United States to be the world's biggest spender, accounting for nearly 40 percent of overall expenditures. U.S. military spending in 2020 increased by 4.4 percent from 2019.
"The recent increases in U.S. military spending can be primarily attributed to heavy investment in research and development, and several long-term projects such as modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal and large-scale arms procurement," said SIPRI's Alexandra Marksteiner, a researcher with its Arms and Military Expenditure Program. "This reflects growing concerns over perceived threats from strategic competitors such as China and Russia, as well as the Trump administration's drive to bolster what it saw as a depleted U.S. military."
Marksteiner's statement is illustrative of the flimsy arguments used in Washington to justify increasing the U.S. defense budget.
For one thing, the modernization of the U.S. nuclear arsenal does not have to come anywhere close to the proposed $1.3 trillion over the next 30 years. Part of that plan involves spending nearly $300 billion on nuclear armed missiles, or ICBMs, that we don't even need (and may even make nuclear war more likely).
And these "perceived threats" that Marksteiner refers to are just that: perceived--perceived by those who have an interest in creating threats and then selling weapons to counter them with.
No one is coming to save us. Join with us.
The world is a pretty dark place right now. Economic inequality off the charts. The climate emergency. Supreme Court corruption in the U.S. and corporate capture worldwide. Democracy in many nations coming apart at the seams. Fascism threatens. It’s enough to make you wish for some powerful being to come along and save us. But the truth is this: no heroes are coming to save us. The only path to real and progressive change is when well-informed, well-intentioned people—fed up with being kicked around by the rich, the powerful, and the wicked—get organized and fight for the better world we all deserve. That’s why we created Common Dreams. We cover the issues that corporate media never will and lift up voices others would rather keep silent. But this people-powered media model can only survive with the support of readers like you. Can you join with us and donate right now to Common Dreams’ Mid-Year Campaign? |
Despite the fact that the global gross domestic product fell by nearly 5 percent because of the COVID-19 pandemic, military spending worldwide increased by almost 3 percent, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
SIPRI's annual assessment released on Monday once again found the United States to be the world's biggest spender, accounting for nearly 40 percent of overall expenditures. U.S. military spending in 2020 increased by 4.4 percent from 2019.
"The recent increases in U.S. military spending can be primarily attributed to heavy investment in research and development, and several long-term projects such as modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal and large-scale arms procurement," said SIPRI's Alexandra Marksteiner, a researcher with its Arms and Military Expenditure Program. "This reflects growing concerns over perceived threats from strategic competitors such as China and Russia, as well as the Trump administration's drive to bolster what it saw as a depleted U.S. military."
Marksteiner's statement is illustrative of the flimsy arguments used in Washington to justify increasing the U.S. defense budget.
For one thing, the modernization of the U.S. nuclear arsenal does not have to come anywhere close to the proposed $1.3 trillion over the next 30 years. Part of that plan involves spending nearly $300 billion on nuclear armed missiles, or ICBMs, that we don't even need (and may even make nuclear war more likely).
And these "perceived threats" that Marksteiner refers to are just that: perceived--perceived by those who have an interest in creating threats and then selling weapons to counter them with.
Despite the fact that the global gross domestic product fell by nearly 5 percent because of the COVID-19 pandemic, military spending worldwide increased by almost 3 percent, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
SIPRI's annual assessment released on Monday once again found the United States to be the world's biggest spender, accounting for nearly 40 percent of overall expenditures. U.S. military spending in 2020 increased by 4.4 percent from 2019.
"The recent increases in U.S. military spending can be primarily attributed to heavy investment in research and development, and several long-term projects such as modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal and large-scale arms procurement," said SIPRI's Alexandra Marksteiner, a researcher with its Arms and Military Expenditure Program. "This reflects growing concerns over perceived threats from strategic competitors such as China and Russia, as well as the Trump administration's drive to bolster what it saw as a depleted U.S. military."
Marksteiner's statement is illustrative of the flimsy arguments used in Washington to justify increasing the U.S. defense budget.
For one thing, the modernization of the U.S. nuclear arsenal does not have to come anywhere close to the proposed $1.3 trillion over the next 30 years. Part of that plan involves spending nearly $300 billion on nuclear armed missiles, or ICBMs, that we don't even need (and may even make nuclear war more likely).
And these "perceived threats" that Marksteiner refers to are just that: perceived--perceived by those who have an interest in creating threats and then selling weapons to counter them with.