U.K. Boosts Defense Spending in Response to Russia and China
TimeJUL 2023
Report: Global Defense Spending Jumped to Record $2.2T in 2023
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The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Given Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Hamas' attack on Israel, and China's assertiveness in the South China Sea, global military spending has surged, generating global instability. The world spent $2.2T on weapons last year. This year will see an even greater increase in global defense spending, particularly if the West does not want Russia to win in Ukraine. Many governments are increasing weapons production and stockpiling to prepare for potential long-term conflicts.
Establishment-critical narrative
The UN has failed with its basic purpose — to maintain international peace and security. The UN Security Council is paralyzed by more than dozens of military conflicts around the world, and the international body must act immediately to address them. In the absence of a strong UN, military spending is rising. The "rules-based international order" is clearly not functioning well given the failure of its institutions to curb global arms spending and conflict.