Marko Papic on NATO and Germany defense

Ultimately, the architects of NATO – almost exclusively American – were not stupid.  They created a geopolitical architecture that – in the words of NATO’s first General Secretary Lord Ismay – was meant to “keep Americans in, Russians out, and Germans down.”  This has been an extraordinarily beneficial arrangement for the US, giving Washington an important geographical anchor on the Eurasian continent while forcing Europe to be largely subservient to US national interests.  Europe was effectively left in a permanent state of geopolitical adolescence.  The war in Ukraine ultimately illustrates that reality.  By waking up Germans to this reality, President Trump has ensured that Berlin – and Europe by extension – is no longer satisfied with staying down.

~ Marko Papic, "Europe’s Crisopportunity: Trump, Putin, And The Geopolitical Gambit," BCA Research, March 2025

Donald Trump on the military

This week, I will reinstate any service members who were unjustly expelled from our military for objecting to the COVID vaccine mandate with full back pay. (Applause.) 

And I will sign an order to stop our warriors from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty.  It’s going to end immediately. (Applause.)  Our armed forces will be freed to focus on their sole mission: defeating America’s enemies. (Applause.) 

Like in 2017, we will again build the strongest military the world has ever seen.  We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end — and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into. (Applause.) 

My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.

~ Donald J. Trump, 47th president of the United States, inaugural address, January 20, 2025

Kevin Duffy on the national defense case for free trade

Life is about tradeoffs.  Yes, we can protect this or that industry, but there is a cost: lower living standards.  With that comes fewer resources for things like defense. 

Second, where does it end?  Once you start protecting one industry under the national defense excuse, they'll all scream for protection. 

Third, and perhaps most important, the interdependence gained through trade is our best defense!  As Bastiat pointed out nearly two centuries ago, countries that trade with each other have an economic deterrent to fight each other (war is an extremely costly endeavor). 

Fourth, protectionism invites a bigger role for government (which it gladly accepts).  That means less individual freedom and more dependence on government. 

Fifth, the United States has the most defendable position on earth.  We are surrounded by two oceans and two friendly neighbors, account for 40% of global military expenditures, and have an arsenal of nuclear weapons that can wipe out mankind many times over. We also have one of the highest gun ownership rates in the world, a second line of defense. 

Imho, neutrality (which the founders advised) and free trade would make us far more prosperous AND secure.

~ Kevin Duffy, Facebook post, October 18, 2021

Rob Stallard on the impact of withdrawing from Afghanistan on the U.S. defense budget

We doubt if the end in Afghanistan will have any more impact on the US psyche than the withdrawal from Iraq.

We see the conclusion of the longest war in US history as dovetailing with the shift from counter terrorism to containing China, and an increased aversion in the West to open ended military expeditions. 

~ Rob Stallard, Vertical Research Partners defense analyst, "7 Defense Stocks That Still Offer Value Now That the U.S. Has Left Afghanistan," Barron's, September 1, 2021

(Barron's: The Afghan war stretched over 20 years, so the exit is a quite a milestone for the U.S..  Yet the implications for the military budget aren’t significant.  Afghanistan was due to consume about $9 billion in fiscal year 2022 spending, according to Stallard.   The total defense-funding request from President Joe Biden tops $750 billion. compared with the $741 billion spent in the current fiscal year.)

Gustave de Molinari on defense

Political economy has disapproved equally of monopoly and communism in the various branches of human activity, wherever it has found them. Is it not then strange and unreasonable that it accepts them in the industry of security?

~ Gustave de Molinari (1849)

James Madison on standing armies

A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defence agst. foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.

~ James Madison, Constitutional Convention, [June 29, 1787]

Martin Feldstein on using defense spending to stimulate the economy

The Department of Defense is preparing budget cuts in response to the decline in national income. The DOD budgeteers and their counterparts in the White House Office of Management and Budget apparently reason that a smaller GDP requires belt-tightening by everyone.

That logic is exactly backwards. As President-elect Barack Obama and his economic advisers recognize, countering a deep economic recession requires an increase in government spending to offset the sharp decline in consumer outlays and business investment that is now under way. Without that rise in government spending, the economic downturn would be deeper and longer. Although tax cuts for individuals and businesses can help, government spending will have to do the heavy lifting. That's why the Obama team will propose a package of about $300 billion a year in additional federal government outlays and grants to states and local governments.

~ Martin Feldstein, "Defense Spending Would Be Great Stimulus," The Wall Street Journal, December 23, 2008

Eisenhower's warning

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 Eisenhower, farewell address to the nation, Jan. 17, 1961