America’s Military Pre-Eminence Is Vast

American Military Power: Unrivaled, For Now -- The Economist

No other country comes close to America’s hard power, but its lead is slipping

DESPITE falling spending, America’s military pre-eminence is vast. A budget of $600 billion for 2014, including $84 billion for “overseas contingency operations” such as Afghanistan, buys a weighty punch. Next year, when the Pentagon’s base budget is expected to fall to $498 billion (spending in Afghanistan is uncertain, but will be much lower), America’s military outlays will still be around 35% of the global total. Its main allies account for another 25% or so. China and Russia combined spend less than half what America does, though their costs are lower (see chart).

Not only is American kit better; American troops, unlike China’s, have lots of experience of using it in battle. Chinese commanders talk about not being able to match American hard power until 2050 at the earliest. Unlike China and Russia, who have few real friends, America has allies everywhere. That forces America to spread its forces widely and thinly. But history suggests that countries with allies tend to beat those without.

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My Comment: The economy coupled with the decisions and policies that Washington implements are the two big factors that can influence the shape and direction of the U.S. military.  Unfortunately .... and we now are starting to see this impact via through the budget battles .... less money will essentially mean a smaller and less effective military .... and much of this will be happening sooner rather than later.