
Over the past two decades, the United States has designated $6.4 trillion toward military operations. This year alone, the Pentagon’s budget totaled more than $760 billion.
America’s defense budget is more than those of the next 11 countries combined. Russia and China spend a fraction of what we spend on their militaries. Meanwhile, the U.S. budget for diplomacy and humanitarian assistance is $63 billion—less than 10 percent of our military spending. That’s a clear illustration of our misguided priorities toward war and away from diplomacy.
An analysis by an independent think tank shows that we can significantly reduce our defense spending without sacrificing our national security or reducing the support for our service members. As we continue to fight a pandemic and an economic crisis that has pushed millions into poverty, it’s clearer than ever that a massive defense budget does not meet our national security needs. Instead of wasting billions on forever wars around the globe, we should be investing in housing, education, food assistance, and clean water for our communities, as well as strengthening our diplomatic ties.