What Happened
Defense Expenditures Rise Sharply in Europe and Asia Amid Global Tensions
Global military spending has reached a 16-year high, with a 2.9% increase in 2025 to $2.9 trillion, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The surge was driven by significant increases in European and Asian defense spending, with the US remaining the world’s largest military spender. The report notes that the increase in spending may continue in 2026 and beyond, driven by ongoing global tensions and long-term military spending targets. This was first reported by CNN.