U.S. Military Spending on the Rise Again

The world’s most expensive military is becoming even more expensive. According to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the trend of declining US military spending, which started in 2012, is coming to an end. As our graphic illustrates, the government’s expenses for troops and weaponry is on the rise again in 2016 for the first time in five years. The waning numbers in the past were mainly caused by the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the repercussions of the financial crisis.

The Infographic furthermore shows the contrast between Obama’s first presidential term with largely increasing military costs and his second term, which for the most part is characterized by expense reduction. Meanwhile the Trump administration plans to spend 54 billion dollars more on the military next year; in part funded by cuts in education, science and environment. This translates into another 9 percent rise from the current amount.