https://english.elpais.com/international/2024-02-19/an-insecure-world-launches-into-rearmament-with-a-9-military-spending-boom-in-2023.html _ _ _ _ Select: * - - - * Espana * America + Mexico + Colombia + Chile + Argentina * USA EL PAIS International subscribeHHOLALOG IN International MexicoChinaLatest News _ Geopolitics An insecure world launches into rearmament with a 9% military spending boom in 2023 Conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, tensions with China and North Korea, and a possible Donald Trump presidency suggest the current arms race will deepen Military spending boomGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz and U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris at the Munich Security Conference.RONALD WITTEK / POOL (EFE) Andrea Rizzi (Special Correspondent) Andrea Rizzi (Special Correspondent) Munich - Feb 19, 2024 - 12:53CET An increasingly dangerous world is moving resolutely down the path of rearmament. The Munich Security Conference, held last weekend, clearly portrayed a trend that shows little sign of abating. World military spending in 2023 was 9% higher than in the previous year, reaching a value of $2.2 trillion, a new record in an already upward trend, according to data published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies on the eve of the forum. That figure is roughly equivalent to the GDP of Canada or Italy. Everything points to further growth. The trend is global and particularly apparent in Europe, due to the Russian war in Ukraine and the prospects of Donald Trump's return to power in the United States on the back of his comments about Washington's NATO allies; in the Asia-Pacific region, due to the rise of China and the aggressive rhetoric of North Korea; and the Middle East, in the midst of a turbulent spiral surrounding the hostilities between Hamas and Israel. Rearmament concerns both conventional and nuclear weapons, with the powers embarking on investments to modernize and innovate their arsenals. At the Munich forum, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took advantage of the presence of his Chinese and Indian counterparts to share some of the information in his possession about the new nuclear weapon on which, according to Washington, Russia is working. It is a development that would allow Moscow to place an atomic warhead in space, which is forbidden by current international treaties and would allow it to cause massive disruption of all services linked to satellites. Washington is seeking the cooperation of Beijing and New Delhi, which have greater influence over Moscow, to prevent a serious escalation by the Kremlin. Here is a look at the development of this phase of rearmament in the most strategic regions, in a context in which the United States has by far the largest budget (around $900 billion), followed by China (some $220 billion, almost twice as much if evaluated at purchasing power parity). [full] Europe Several European politicians warned at the Munich Conference of the risks linked to Russia's belligerency and the prospect of an electoral victory for Trump, whose commitment to Ukraine and NATO is doubtful. As of 2014, when the Kremlin annexed Crimea, Europe began to reverse what the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, defined as an era of "silent disarmament." The increase in defense spending has accelerated after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2014, European NATO allies spent $235 billion, 1.47% of GDP. In 2023, that figure rose to $347 billion (both calculated at constant 2015 prices), equivalent to 1.85% of GDP. In 2024, the forecast is for $380 billion and 2%, respectively, according to data published by the Atlantic Alliance. Olaf Scholz and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who announced the presentation in three weeks of a new defense industrial strategy and her intention to appoint a Defense Commissioner if she obtains a new mandate in her post. The aim is to increase capabilities both to sustain Ukraine's resistance in the short term, and to ensure a strong deterrent capability in the face of potential aggression from the Kremlin, particularly if Trump returns to power. "The threat from Russia is real. That is why our deterrence and defense capabilities have to be credible and remain credible," Scholz said. Germany, the EU's leading economy, is fully aligned with that philosophy. Two years ago, just three days after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, Scholz announced Germany's biggest political turnaround since reunification, promising that his government would work to move the country toward a consistent military buildup after seven decades of varying degrees of containment marked by the horror of the Nazi experience. Germany has been increasing its level of military spending since then. Overall, defense spending has hovered at around EUR60 billion, representing 1.57% of GDP. "I am proud to say that this year we will spend over 2% of our GDP on defense," said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, referring to a threshold that is required by NATO. "I am also realistic enough to see that this might not be enough in the years to come," he added. Germany's response comes at a time when the Kremlin has turned Russia into a war economy, where, according to data cited by several sources, a third of the state budget is being used to sustain the war in Ukraine. [full] Asia-Pacific In the Asia-Pacific region, the vectors driving spending are multiple. On the one hand, the steady growth of China, which, hand in hand with its long economic boom, promotes the constant improvement and expansion of its military capabilities. These increases, together with plans that have aroused misgivings in the region, have led to greater efforts by other countries in the region, such as Japan and Australia. On the other hand, the rhetoric and actions of North Korea, which recently removed the traditional goal of a peaceful reunification of the peninsula from its Constitution, represent another factor spurring spending, pushing South Korea, a major global economy, to remain in a high state of alert. [full] Middle East The Middle East is also on track for an arms race amid the conflict between Hamas and Israel and the inflammatory effect it has had on a traditionally tense region. Israel is a nuclear power backed by military support from the United States. Saudi Arabia has for years been carrying out a military build-up that now makes it the sixth-largest spender on defense in the world. Iran does not have the economic muscle to be a significant player in quantitative terms, but it has long been cultivating the development of asymmetric capabilities that will enable it to influence the region. The conflict between Israel and the United States, on the one hand, and Iran's partners in the region -- triggered in recent weeks by Washington's bombings in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq -- is likely to spur various actors to prepare themselves thoroughly for possible unbridled escalations. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition More information Netanyahu Nobody is stopping Benjamin Netanyahu Andrea Rizzi (special correspondent) | Munich Putin With dissent struck down, Putin feels increasingly strong Javier G. Cuesta / Maria R. Sahuquillo | Moscow / Brussels Archived In * China * Washington D.C. * Donald Trump * Vladimir Putin * Kremlin * Joseph Biden * Israel * Hamas * Yemen Adheres toThe Trust ProjectMore information If you are interested in licensing this content, please contact ventacontenidos@prisamedia.com _ newsletter Sign up to EL PAIS in English Edition bulletin Apuntate Most viewed 1. John Travolta, the 70-year-old semi-retired widower soaring over Hollywood 2. Sean Connery in a loincloth? How 'Zardoz' became one of the strangest movies ever 3. Hermit crabs have swapped their shells for metal and plastic 4. Afghan opium's big high 5. Discover Panama: From the capital to the Canal to its Caribbean beaches and tropical jungles Recomendaciones EL PAIS * Cursos * Centros * Frances online * Ingles online * Italiano online * Aleman online * Crucigramas & Juegos Cursos cursos Maestria en linea en Administracion de Empresas con concentracion en Marketing Digital Maestria en linea en Administracion de Empresas con concentracion en Marketing Digital cursos Maestria en linea en Direccion de Recursos Humanos Maestria en linea en Direccion de Recursos Humanos cursos Maestria en linea en Psicopedagogia Maestria en linea en Psicopedagogia cursos Curso en linea de Diseno Grafico Curso en linea de Diseno Grafico Centros cursosonline Maestria en Administracion de Empresas con concentracion en Transformacion Digital y Desarrollo de Negocios Maestria en Administracion de Empresas con concentracion en Transformacion Digital y Desarrollo de Negocios cursosonline Curso en linea de experto en Calidad Industrial y Procesos Farmaceuticos Curso en linea de experto en Calidad Industrial y Procesos Farmaceuticos cursosonline Maestria en linea en Programacion Web Maestria en linea en Programacion Web cursosonline Maestria en linea en Ciencias en Educacion Virtual Maestria en linea en Ciencias en Educacion Virtual Frances online cursosingles Mejora tu frances con 15 minutos al dia Mejora tu frances con 15 minutos al dia cursosingles Disfruta de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas. Disfruta de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas. cursosingles Obtendra un diploma con estadisticas de nivel, progresion y participacion. Obtendra un diploma con estadisticas de nivel, progresion y participacion. cursosingles 21 dias de prueba gratuita de nuestro curso de frances 'online' 21 dias de prueba gratuita de nuestro curso de frances 'online' Ingles online cursosingles Mejore su ingles con EL PAIS con 15 minutos al dia Mejore su ingles con EL PAIS con 15 minutos al dia cursosingles Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas cursosingles Evalue su nivel y obtenga un certificado Evalue su nivel y obtenga un certificado cursosingles Pruebe 21 dias gratis y sin compromiso Pruebe 21 dias gratis y sin compromiso Italiano online cursosingles Mejore su italiano con EL PAIS con 15 minutos al dia Mejore su italiano con EL PAIS con 15 minutos al dia cursosingles Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas cursosingles Evalue su nivel y obtenga un certificado Evalue su nivel y obtenga un certificado cursosingles Pruebe 21 dias gratis y sin compromiso Pruebe 21 dias gratis y sin compromiso Aleman online cursosingles Las mejores oportunidades hablan aleman. Nuevo curso 'online' Las mejores oportunidades hablan aleman. Nuevo curso 'online' cursosingles Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas cursosingles Evalue su nivel y obtenga un certificado Evalue su nivel y obtenga un certificado cursosingles Pruebe 21 dias gratis y sin compromiso Pruebe 21 dias gratis y sin compromiso Crucigramas & Juegos juegos Crucigramas minis Crucigramas minis juegos Crucigramas Tarkus Crucigramas Tarkus juegos Sudokus mini Sudokus mini juegos Sopas de letras Sopas de letras Recomendaciones EL PAIS * Cursos * Centros * Italiano online * Frances online * Aleman online * Crucigramas & Juegos Cursos cursos Maestria en Direccion Financiera. Clases 100% en linea Maestria en Direccion Financiera. Clases 100% en linea cursos Maestria en Supply Chain Management & Logistics. Presencial en Madrid, Espana Maestria en Supply Chain Management & Logistics. Presencial en Madrid, Espana cursos Maestria en Seguridad Industrial y Proteccion Ambiental. Con un 56% de descuento Maestria en Seguridad Industrial y Proteccion Ambiental. Con un 56% de descuento cursos Maestria Global en Project Management. Semipresencial en Madrid, Espana Maestria Global en Project Management. Semipresencial en Madrid, Espana Centros cursosonline Curso de Marketing Digital. Metodologia en linea Curso de Marketing Digital. Metodologia en linea cursosonline MBA Administracion y Direccion de Empresas. Con un 81% de descuento MBA Administracion y Direccion de Empresas. Con un 81% de descuento cursosonline Maestria en Programacion Web. Clases 100% en linea Maestria en Programacion Web. Clases 100% en linea cursosonline Descubra un completo Directorio de Centros de Formacion Descubra un completo Directorio de Centros de Formacion Italiano online cursosingles Mejore su italiano con solo 15 minutos al dia Mejore su italiano con solo 15 minutos al dia cursosingles Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas. Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas. cursosingles Obtendra un diploma con estadisticas de nivel, progresion y participacion. Obtendra un diploma con estadisticas de nivel, progresion y participacion. cursosingles 21 dias de prueba gratuita. !Empiece ya! 21 dias de prueba gratuita. !Empiece ya! Frances online cursosingles Mejore su frances con solo 15 minutos al dia Mejore su frances con solo 15 minutos al dia cursosingles Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas. Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas. cursosingles Obtendra un diploma con estadisticas de nivel, progresion y participacion. Obtendra un diploma con estadisticas de nivel, progresion y participacion. cursosingles 21 dias de prueba gratuita. !Empiece ya! 21 dias de prueba gratuita. !Empiece ya! Aleman online cursosingles Las mejores oportunidades hablan aleman. Nuevo curso 'online' Las mejores oportunidades hablan aleman. Nuevo curso 'online' cursosingles Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas. Disfrute de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas. cursosingles Obtendra un diploma con estadisticas de nivel, progresion y participacion. Obtendra un diploma con estadisticas de nivel, progresion y participacion. cursosingles 21 dias de prueba gratuita. !Empiece ya! 21 dias de prueba gratuita. !Empiece ya! Crucigramas & Juegos juegos !Disfruta con nuestros Crucigramas para expertos! !Disfruta con nuestros Crucigramas para expertos! juegos Resuelve los ultimos Crucigramas de Mambrino Resuelve los ultimos Crucigramas de Mambrino juegos Juega a nuestros Sudoku para Expertos y mejora dia a dia tu nivel Juega a nuestros Sudoku para Expertos y mejora dia a dia tu nivel juegos Juega a las nuevas Sopas de letras clasicas y tematicas de EL PAIS Juega a las nuevas Sopas de letras clasicas y tematicas de EL PAIS _ _ Inicia sesion o registrate gratis para continuar leyendo en incognito Registrate gratisInicia sesion Suscribete y lee sin limites Ver opciones de suscripcion HOLA Subscribe for EUR 1 * My activity * My Subscription * My personal data * My newsletters * Rights and de-registration * Events and experiences logout change contrast: Buscar[ ] Select: * - - - * Espana * America + Mexico + Colombia + Chile + Argentina * USA If you want to follow all the latest news without any limits, subscribe to EL PAIS for just EUR1 the first month SUBSCRIBE NOW * International * U.S. * Economy And Business * Science * Health * Technology * Climate * People * Lifestyle * Opinion * Culture * Sports * EPS * Latest News Newsletter Follow on: