“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”
President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s farewell address to the nation
January 17, 1961
June 29, 2025 — NATO members have agreed to allocate 5% of their GDP to defense spending, a sharp increase from the longstanding 2% target. The decision comes in response to rising threats from Russia and the ongoing war in Ukraine, underscoring the alliance’s commitment to deterrence and collective defense. I regard this agreement as a complete and dangerous lunacy. Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY
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“I think it is the beginning of a new cold war. I think the Russians will gradually react quite adversely and it will affect their policies. I think it is a tragic mistake. There was no reason for this whatsoever. No one was threatening anybody else. This [NATO] expansion would make the founding fathers of this country turn over in their graves.”
George Kennan (1998)
These levels of military spending are unnecessary, unrealistic, and pose a serious threat to Western democracies.
Unnecessary — Currently, Russia spends about $150 billion on its military, while NATO countries collectively spend around $1.5 trillion—accounting for 55% of global military expenditure. The contrast is staggering. Even at current levels, NATO’s defense spending vastly exceeds that of Russia, raising serious questions about the necessity and rationale behind pushing for a 5% GDP threshold. Why would NATO need $2.4 trillion to counter a $150 billion military?
Unrealistic — Many European NATO members already struggle to meet the existing 2% target. Belgium, which hosts NATO’s headquarters, is a prime example. The country is facing a fiscal crisis and can barely cope with internal challenges: police and intelligence agencies are severely underfunded, and the condition of schools, research institutions, and hospitals is nothing short of shameful. Taxes are already a heavy burden on the economy, and there is simply no political or economic space for governments—federal or regional—to raise them further.
Serious Threat to Democracies — Many intellectuals, including Noam Chomsky, economist Murray Rothbard, and John Kenneth Galbraith, have repeatedly argued that military spending is one of the worst investments a country can make. In contrast, education and research yield the highest returns. Military contracts are often awarded in secrecy and are highly susceptible to corruption. They can also be counterproductive. The story of Boeing illustrates this well: once a renowned company, it became a troubled giant after becoming a powerful military contractor and political player. Its product quality declined and may never fully recover.
Drafting a serious and responsible budget has never been a playful task. There are things one would like to do but cannot afford, and there are expenses one does not want to bear but are unfortunately necessary. Eisenhower believed in spending the minimum required on defense—just enough to ensure the nation’s security—so that the majority of resources could be allocated to securing the best possible quality of life for citizens. This principle should be our Golden Rule.
Sources
As It Turns 70, Is NATO Still Necessary? — NPR
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Eisenhower’s Last Warning Ignored: The Dangerous Folly of NATO’s 5% Defense Spending Target
“America’s determination to manage the Middle East at all costs, its habit of launching a new war every time it needs to deal with the effects of the last one it launched. NATO as a leftover Cold War relic doing more harm than good. And poor, toothless, leaderless Britain tagging along behind because it still dreams of greatness and doesn’t know what else to dream about.”
Silverview
John Le Carré
Intel Today 