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CNN

Can the world afford a new global arms race?

CNN · Just In
CNN
CNN
Just In

CNN's Fareed Zakaria explains how military spending is surging globally — and how it’s forcing countries to make tough decisions on how to pay for it.

Breakdown
  • Germany is ending its post-WWII pacifist stance and significantly increasing defense spending. 10s
  • Global defense spending rose by more than 9% in real terms, the sharpest increase since the Cold War. 1m 13s
  • The US and China now account for nearly half of global military expenditure. 1m 32s
  • Countries are funding military buildups through borrowing and cuts to public services. 1m 55s
  • Experts caution that prioritizing defense over social investment may have severe long-term economic costs. 3m 22s
Military & Conflict