Defense Research Conclusion

Military spending can be reduced to levels more consistent with the spending of other countries without compromising the safety. The money saved can be redeployed to other critical areas, such as reducing national debt. This can be achieved through the resumption of multilateralism, including expanded trade agreements, active participation in global institutions like the United Nations, and the continuation of nuclear arms treaties. 

Summary basis of our Conclusion

The US spends far more than is necessary to provide purely for our own defense. Not since WWII has the military been deployed in the direct defense of our homeland. In contrast, our military has been deployed 46 times in wars of choice initiated by us, often with disastrous outcomes. To finance this perpetual state of war, the US accounts for 40% of the world’s defense spending—more than the next eight countries combined. We maintain a presence of 800 military bases in 80 countries and a strategic doctrine of dominant power in every arena of the world. Furthermore, 96% of global military spending is by countries we consider to be allies by treaty (NATO) or those with which we have always peacefully coexisted. Contrary to our domestic perception that the US is a peaceful nation, we are in fact one of the most warlike and destabilizing nations in the world. The money spent unnecessarily on defense could instead be used productively and domestically to make our country stronger. 

Countries setting an example  

Every other country on the planet sets an example by not spending what we spend on defense. Even Russia, our single purported enemy, spends less than 4% of what we and our allies spend. China, another purported “adversary,” also spends a small fraction of what we and our allies spend. As a result, China has the resources to become one of our largest creditors and has the capacity to invest globally in the Belt and Road Initiative. France, Germany, Japan, and the UK all spend less than the US, allowing them to afford superior infrastructure, healthcare, and educational systems. The counterargument, of course, is that our allies can spend less because we spend more. It is time that we all spend less and use the savings to restore our own infrastructure, educational system, and healthcare, as well as the health and well-being of the world.