Why Does the US Spend So Much On Defense?

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November 28, 2021

Why Does the US Spend So Much On Defense?

Video Summary

The United States spends by far the most on its military, a fact that’s often repeated. But what’s rarely discussed is why. As a superpower with a strong military presence and a high cost of living, the US’s large population and labor costs contribute to its significant military expenses. The country’s defense budget is made up of various categories, including military personnel, operations and maintenance, military construction, healthcare, procurement, and research and development.

The 2022 defense budget request totals $752.9 billion, with $715 billion going to the Department of Defense and $37.9 billion to other agencies. Breaking down the budget into categories, we find that military personnel accounts for 23%, operations and maintenance for 36%, and procurement for 19%. Research and development makes up the remaining 16%.

Some interesting observations from the budget include a large portion of funds going towards classified equipment, with $21.6 billion allocated for 2022, and $23.6 billion for classified operations and maintenance. Another curious finding is that despite the US pulling out of Afghanistan, billions of dollars are still allocated for funding the Afghan national army, which collapsed shortly after the US withdrawal.

I think it’s important to note that vague and uninformed statements about the military budget rarely lead to effective change. To have a meaningful discussion, we need to know the details, such as where to cut costs and how to prioritize spending. The current budget is presented as the most efficient solution for the US’s defense needs, but it’s worth examining the breakdown and justifications made for these expenses.