The Wright Show
How to Slash the Pentagon Budget (Connor Echols & Julia Gledhill)
Mar 1, 2025
Julia Gledhill, a research associate at the Stimson Center, dives into the complexities of Pentagon spending. She discusses how the military budget ballooned and reveals strategies to cut $60 billion in unnecessary expenditures. The conversation critiques inefficient programs like the F-35 and the challenges posed by privatization in weapon acquisitions. Gledhill also explores the implications of the ICBM modernization efforts and highlights the need for transparent military reforms amidst rising tensions with China.
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Quick takeaways
- The Pentagon's budget has ballooned to historic levels due to a culture of threat inflation and inefficient programs like the F-35.
- Experts propose cutting $60 billion from military spending by eliminating ineffective high-profile programs and improving efficiency in contractor management.
Deep dives
Rising Pentagon Budgets Amid No Active War
The U.S. Pentagon budget has reached historic levels despite the absence of any active, large-scale wars, with current figures comparable only to the early 2010s. This phenomenon stems from a long-standing commitment to global military dominance, which has become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain. The justification for continued increases in spending includes the perception of threats from China and the ongoing legacy of past conflicts like the war on terror. This situation reflects a disconnect between budget growth and actual military readiness, as resources are consumed by poorly performing programs, such as the infamous F-35, which boasts a low mission-capable rate.
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