Global Military Spending: $1.7 Trillion

Global military spending saw a significant increase in 2015, reaching $1.7 trillion. One of the main reasons for this rise is the wars in the Middle East, including the fight against the group known as the 'Islamic State' and the military operations of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. According to a report by the Associated Press, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute notes that China's military expansion in the South China Sea, the annexation of Crimea by Russia, and Moscow's support for separatists in eastern Ukraine are other contributing factors to the 1% increase in global military spending compared to the previous year. The continuous airstrikes by the international coalition against 'Islamic State' positions in Iraq and Syria, as well as the bombing of Houthi positions in Yemen by the Saudi-led military coalition, have increased the revenues of arms manufacturers. Peace activists criticize the ongoing sale of American weapons to Saudi Arabia, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties in the Yemen war. Meanwhile, it appears that last year, the sale of military aircraft from the U.S. to Qatar and Kuwait remained stable compared to previous years. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's report, in 2015, the U.S. ranked first in military spending with a budget of $596 billion, followed by China with an approximate budget of $215 billion. Saudi Arabia ranked third with military expenditures exceeding $87 billion, which is double the military budget of the country in 2006. It seems that Saudi Arabia's military spending is the main reason for the increase in global military budgets since 2011. The report indicates that Iraq spent over $13 billion on military expenses in 2015, more than five times its military budget in 2006, likely due to the withdrawal of American troops and the recent rebuilding of the Iraqi army. In addition to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates is also part of the international coalition against the 'Islamic State' and the Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen. There is no precise assessment of the increase in military spending in these countries, but researchers from the International Peace Institute remind us that Saudi Arabia and the UAE also sent military forces to Bahrain in 2011 to suppress protests. The airstrikes by the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen have been heavily criticized by human rights organizations, and according to the United Nations, over 60% of the 3,200 civilian casualties in Yemen in the past year have resulted from these attacks targeting civilian centers such as markets and clinics. The Associated Press, citing the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's report, notes that despite these criticisms, arms deals, particularly the sale of weapons from the U.S. to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states, have continued. A U.S. State Department spokesperson responded to this evidence by stating that the U.S. has repeatedly raised the issue of civilian casualties in Yemen with Saudi Arabia and other coalition countries, urging them to pay more attention to precise targeting. He added, 'We have invited these countries to investigate all reports of civilian casualties and to publicly release the results of these investigations.' The continuation of attacks on the 'Islamic State' and the war in Yemen is expected to lead to an increase in arms sales this year as well. The Guggenheim Security Research Center reported on March 28 that major companies such as Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon will earn more from arms sales, aircraft, and military equipment. The Obama administration emphasized Washington's commitment to supporting its allies at last year's summit with Gulf Arab leaders. Since then, the U.S. has sold over $33 billion in weapons and military equipment to Gulf Arab countries. One of the main components of these contracts is the sale of modern warships to Saudi Arabia worth $11 billion. However, Republican Senator John McCain has accused the Obama administration of not being faithful to its commitments made at that summit, claiming that Washington has halted the sale of fighter jets to Qatar and Kuwait. Barack Obama is scheduled to attend a summit with regional leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council on April 21. It is likely that the sale of American fighter jets and Iran, following that country's nuclear agreement with world powers, will be key topics in President Obama's negotiations with Gulf Arab countries.