When it comes to U.S. military spending, you could argue that our country is reactionary, especially when we are attacked on our own soil. When we look back in history after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, there was a large increase in military spending. Post-Pearl Harbor military spending amounted to $4.1 trillion. Fast-forward to a post-9/11 world, and we find that total military costs have amounted to $4.4 trillion. This money has been focused on two main campaigns: Iraq and Afghanistan.
The majority of U.S. military spending from 2003 to 2009 was focused solely on Iraq. After 2008, the amount of spending started to go down, but it was still high. Following 2009, military funds were shifted to Afghanistan. The overall amount spent in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars is $1.7 trillion excluding soldier benefits that can near over $6 trillion in the next four decades. However, we must remember that the real cost of war cannot be given a numeric value for it is truly measured by the sacrifices of the men and women who fought and died for the cause.
I want to leave you with these questions. What direction is our country heading in? Is it heading down the right path? With the possibility of Iran and North Korea on the verge of nuclear capabilities, the constant threat of cyber terrorism, the uncertain climate of Russia, and the newest threat of danger, ISIS, growing around the World, do you feel safe?
