Does America spend too much on its military? And is that spending actually making us less safe?

In this sobering episode of Catholic in America, host Jason Adkins sits down with William D. Hartung, Senior Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and author of The Trillion Dollar War Machine, to explore how runaway military spending fuels global conflict, enables arms dealers, and undermines domestic priorities like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

They discuss the real power of the military-industrial complex, how the Pentagon partners with Hollywood and universities to shape culture and technology, and why both Democrats and Republicans fail to question the massive US defense budget. Hartung offers insight into how a bloated defense system endangers peace and why Catholics and other people of faith need to reclaim the moral conversation around war and peace.

Topics Covered:

• What the military-industrial complex really looks like today
• How military contractors drive foreign policy and conflict
• The role of Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and universities in supporting war
• Why US defense spending exceeds that of the next 10 countries combined
• How the media helps normalize militarism
• What nuclear weapons modernization actually costs
• The hidden cost to veterans and active-duty military families
• What a moral, effective military strategy would really look like
• Why Catholics must lead a renewed movement for peace

Links:

• William D. Hartung Bio:  https://quincyinst.org/author/william-d-hartung/
• Book: The Trillion Dollar War Machine (Bold Type Books): https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/william-d-hartung/the-trillion-dollar-war-machine/9781645030638/

Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements.

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