Defense Spending & Geopolitical Context - European countries are increasing defense spending due to a resurgent threat from Russia [1] - The spending amounts to hundreds of billions of dollars [1] Military Strategy - European countries are rebuilding their armies by utilizing part-timers, conscripts, and reserves [1]

What is the biggest threat to national security. When Admiral Michael Mullen was asked that very question back in 2010, his answer shocked the nation. I responded that the most significant threat was our national debt, which was a bit of a surprise.Admiral Mullen served as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Since then, the national debt has nearly quadrupled.Well, experts have warned that when a government spends so much related to its debt load, it c ...

US Debt & National Security - US national debt is seen as a significant threat to national security, potentially squeezing the discretionary defense budget [2][3] - The US is expected to spend $90 billion more on interest payments than on defense in 2024, marking a critical tipping point [4] - Increased defense spending by $2 billion this year and $150 billion over the next decade is projected due to recent tax and spending legislation [4] - The law will boost interest costs by $700 billion [4] - Adversaries like Russia and China may view US debt levels as a vulnerability [5] International Implications - China, a large foreign holder of US treasuries, has been steadily reducing its holdings [6] - Japan holds over $1 trillion worth of US debt, the most of any foreign country [6] - Reworking global trade relationships could impact international demand for treasuries and the US dollar [7][9] - Tariffs announced with Japan speak to the leverage that Japanese investors may have in trade talks [8] Potential Solutions & Challenges - Addressing the deficit requires a combination of spending cuts, tax increases, and a rainy day fund [11] - Solving the problem solely through tax revenue would require a 30% tax increase, while solving it solely through spending cuts would require a 25% spending cut [12] - Political divide is considered a major threat, potentially hindering efforts to address the debt issue [13]

Мы-то планируем сокращение расходов на оборону. У нас вот и в следующем году, и через год, и на ближайшую трёхлетку мы планируем, ну, пока нет договорённости окончательной между Минобороной, Минфином, Миноэкономразвития, но в целом все думают именно в этом направлении, а Европа думает о том, как поднять свои расходы наоборот. Так кто готовится к каким-то агрессивным действиям.Мы или они. Мы, да, хотим завершить специальную военную операцию с нужным нам результатом. Конечно, но на это всё и ээ рассчитывается ...

Macroeconomic Analysis - Higher interest rates are exposing imbalances, leading to an unwind of capital misallocation dating back to 2008 and potentially 1989 [1] - The US stimulus post-GFC attracted capital due to its financial infrastructure [2] - A major capital rotation towards Europe and the rest of the world is underway, rebalancing global capital flows [4] - Zero percent interest rate policies masked underlying imbalances, now exposed with rates at 45%-5% [20][21] - Global synchronous growth is possible due to stronger US performance, surprising Chinese retail sales and exports, and Europe releasing its debt brake on fiscal spending [28] Defense Spending and Industrial Policy - Europe's lack of a military-industrial complex has hindered its technological development [3] - Increased defense spending, potentially reaching $14 trillion, could stimulate a major CapEx boom cycle [4][5][6] - Private capital is crucial for efficiently allocating capital in Europe's defense sector, balancing control and market pressure [13][14] - Europe has a hidden defense sector with many dual-purpose companies, presenting investment opportunities [16] Energy Security and Transition - Energy security, not climate concerns, is driving investments in nuclear, solar, and EVs [17][18] - The US energy independence has changed its geopolitical calculations, particularly regarding the Middle East [22][23][24] - Underinvestment in key commodities like copper and lithium, coupled with misallocation of capital, suggests a potential reversal [31][33]

Fincantieri plans to focus some Italian civil and military shipyards on just making warships, in the latest sign that Europe’s defense-spending bonanza is reshaping industrial strategy https://t.co/jr5vHaHxiD ...

China’s envoy to Canberra urged Australia not to be “incited” by NATO’s support for US demands to sharply raise defense spending and instead cooperate with Beijing https://t.co/ZdyQce4R1p ...

Between tariffs and defense spending, ties between the US and Japan aren't what they used to be, writes @GearoidReidy (via @opinion) https://t.co/BxHfxI4NDT ...

From @WSJopinion: America has long asked its European allies to spend more on their own defense. So the astonishing news out of this week’s summit is the near unanimity: NATO allies have agreed to devote 5% of their economies to military spending. https://t.co/LypEr2Q6ZU ...

Macron has pledged to increase defense spending, but the increased military outlays come with hard choices for a France struggling with deficits and debt. https://t.co/vEUjwC2W7M ...