New defense budget is more of the same

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 28, 2021
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, President Biden is submitting his 2022 budget request to Congress, which includes a national security budget of $753 billion. Defense Priorities Policy Director Benjamin H. Friedman issued the following statement in response:

“The Biden administration’s request for $753 billion in national security spending is more of the same. It represents a continuation of the old military strategy of seeking global military dominance at a growing cost that has been bleeding the country with excessive spending and failing wars for decades. Contrary to its advertising, this budget does not refocus spending to meet an overhyped Chinese threat in Asia. That would involve shifting forces and funds away from ground forces, interminable occupations in the Middle East, and plans to fight big ground wars for rich allies. It doesn’t choose much at all, keeping funds flowing at a roughly constant rate, plus inflation, to the services and their present missions.

“A budget that accepted military spending cannot win endless small wars or prop up U.S. hegemony indefinitely would choose more and spend far less. By accepting that U.S. forces should help allies sustain a stable balance of power rather than overwhelm all potential adversaries in every theater it would enable focus. A more restrained strategy would save by focusing on commanding the global commons and maintaining long-range strike capability with air and sea forces. It would cut ground forces, administrative support, and personnel costs. By limiting conflict and risk, that strategy would enhance security at lower cost and aid the internal improvements that are the ultimate source of U.S. strength.”

Author

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director