The United States spends an astronomical amount of money on its military - more than any other nation.  In fact, more than the next 8 nations combined.  It helps fund 750 military bases in 80 countries.  It has quite an impact on the world.

Last week, the U.S. Congress and President Biden enacted the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, which increased military spending to the largest level since the end of World War II, even adjusted for inflation.

Increasing technology makes war more dangerous.  And growing conflict between the United States, China and Russia (and of course Ukraine) is fueling an arms race between superpowers that could end up disastrous.

Today, we consider what the United States actually gets for all this military spending.  Does it make Americans and the world safer, or put them in more danger?  What else could this money be used for?

And I suggest we turn to world approaches to world security - like a stronger United Nations - rather than large nations slugging it out with each other.

-----

The Human Survival Podcast, hosted by Shelby Mertes.

This show is offered by The Human Survival Project, a grassroots organization helping the human race become an intentional and forward-looking species, with the global tools to improve ourselves and protect ourselves from global catastrophic threats. 

** Connect and learn more at: https://www.thehumansurvivalproject.org/ **

Sign up for our email newsletter, or send Shelby a message with any questions or suggestions: https://www.thehumansurvivalproject.org/connect

The Human Survival Podcast is also on YouTube.

Please subscribe and tell your friends about the show.

Theme music by Moby: https://mobygratis.com/

----------

Resources:

~ U.S. Department of Defense, 12/23/22

~ Union of Concerned Scientists, 12/14/22

Data on U.S. and international military spending…

Report on U.S. military bases around the world…

~ United Nations annual spending

Other news articles about the recent military spending bill, both good and mediocre…