Friday Factoids: U.S. Military Spending Highest in Post-WWII Era
The $708 billion FY2011 military/defense spending budget is 33 percent larger than the peak of Pentagon budgets during the Vietnam War and 64 percent higher than the Cold War average.
Here's today's Friday Factoids. Food for though, provided, as usual, without comment...
In inflation-adjusted terms, United States defense/military spending in the Administration's FY2011 budget request is:
- $708 billion, including normal Pentagon budgets and the operating costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- 70 percent higher than 2001 defense spending levels.
- 13 percent higher than the Korea War peak.
- 33 percent higher than the Vietnam War peak.
- 23 percent higher than Regan-era Cold War peak.
- 64 percent higher the Cold War average.
- 15 precent higher than the post-9/11 average.
All relative comparisons in inflation-adjusted terms. All facts and figures from this study from the Center for a New American Security. A hat tip to Mark Kimbrell.
My impression was that the new administration will end those wars, not increase the efforts. I guess I was mistaken.
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