Top ten military spending counties

[RC Vikings]

http://www.csmonitor.com/CSM-Photo-Galleries/Lists/World-s-top-10-military-spenders

I was surprised that France spends more than both Germany and Russia and also at how much more the U.S. spends than anybody else.

[il Padrino Ute]

I had no idea that Jim Rome was in the Italian army.

[Lost Student]

I had no idea that Jim Rome was in the Italian army.

How could you not know that Rome is in Italy?

[il Padrino Ute]

How could you not know that Rome is in Italy?

[Clark Addison]

http://www.csmonitor.com/CSM-Photo-G...itary-spenders

I was surprised that France spends more than both Germany and Russia and also at how much more the U.S. spends than anybody else.

I'm no expert, but not real surprised by that. France has always wanted to be more militarily independent, while Germany is happier to use the USA pick up a lot of military slack. I think Russia would like to spend a whole lot more, but they just haven't had the resources.

I know this makes me a communist, but when the next closest country spends $100 Billion on military spending, I wouldn't mind seeing the US move from $660 B to somewhere around half of that (not immediately).

[Uncle Ted]

I know this makes me a communist, but when the next closest country spends $100 Billion on military spending, I wouldn't mind seeing the US move from $660 B to somewhere around half of that (not immediately).

Why does that make you a communist? What percentage of N. Korea's GNP do you think is spent on its military? I have heard estimates around 25%. Compare that to the USA (with its GNP of about $12T+).

[Sizzle]

I want to know when we are going to start talking about top spending counties instead of countries.

Weber county you'd better watch out! Davis county is gonna come kick your ***!!!

[UtahDan]

Yeah, France, all jokes aside, does have a very strong martial tradition and culture just as England does. I think I first got focused on this years ago when I learned that France was the third country (after the US and Russia) to gain "second strike" capability, that is, they have a submarine carrying nuclear ICBM's that can be launched even after the country is self is wiped of the map in a first strike. Not sure who all has that capability now in addition to those three, if anyone.

But I always think that the US budget seems more proportionate when you think about the fact that through its NATO ties it is, and has been for a long time, providing security for most of Europe who then in turn have more money available for social spending. But the ability to project our power anywhere, through the carrier fleet, is unique and really our signature capability apart from the nuclear capability (which has little practical affect at this point).

As a small diversion, I will be interested to see what happens next in Libya. Apparently two of our carriers loaded with marines just passed through the Suez into the Mediterranean Sea. Qaddafi seems ready to pull out all the stops to keep power and does have a chemical arsenal at his disposal and his son has said in the last two days that there will be a river of blood running through the streets. The last thing I want is for us to "buy" another country. I wonder what deterrent affect, if any, our show of force will have.

[il Padrino Ute]

I'm no expert, but not real surprised by that. France has always wanted to be more militarily independent, while Germany is happier to use the USA. I think Russia would like to spend a whole lot more, but they just haven't had the resources.

I know this makes me a communist, but when the next closest country spends $100 Billion on military spending, I wouldn't mind seeing the US move from $660 B to somewhere around half of that (not immediately).

I don't necessarily disagree with you about cutting defense spending. I'd be interested to know how much of the $660B is used to do the heavy lifting that the UN asks the US to do and to keep overseas bases open. If that's where a lot of the cost is, it's time to reevaluate the country's role as the world's peacekeeper.

[Jacob]

What are they doing here?

[old_gregg]

What are they doing here?

the half gloves are a very important component of noko military strategy.

[Clark Addison]

Why does that make you a communist? What percentage of N. Korea's GNP do you think is spent on its military? I have heard estimates around 25%. Compare that to the USA (with its GNP of about $12T+).

Not a real communist, a communist as in "Un-American"

I don't necessarily disagree with you about cutting defense spending. I'd be interested to know how much of the $660B is used to do the heavy lifting that the UN asks the US to do and to keep overseas bases open. If that's where a lot of the cost is, it's time to reevaluate the country's role as the world's peacekeeper.

I don't disagree. I have no idea how much of our budget is dedicated to replacing other country's militaries. If that is $150B, then we should be looking for ways to get that money or stop providing free military assistance.