Kathmandu— The United States maintains between 750 to 800 military bases in approximately 80 foreign countries and territories, with some estimates suggesting the number could be closer to 900. This expansive network is accompanied by significant military expenditures, which have been estimated at over $1 trillion annually when including various forms of spending not traditionally counted as part of the Pentagon budget. The vast military empire has profound domestic implications, shaping industrial policy and technology development.

Military Spending Disputes

The exact amount spent on U.S. defense is a subject of ongoing debate among experts. According to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, in 2025, the United States accounted for 33 percent of global military expenditures with nearly $1 trillion in spending. The Pentagon's budget request for FY 2026 includes a discretionary funding request of $1.15 trillion and an additional $350 billion from reconciliation processes, totaling a historic $1.5 trillion defense budget. This figure is significantly higher than previous years, marking the first time a single year’s discretionary defense spending has exceeded $1 trillion.

Hidden Military Costs

The Project on Government Oversight (POGO) highlights that many programs often considered part of military spending are not included in the Pentagon budget. These include veteran benefits, Coast Guard operations, and nuclear weapons funding. POGO's report indicates that the true total military budget for FY 2025 was likely between $1.5 trillion and $1.8 trillion when considering all forms of spending. Including interest payments on debts related to military expenses, this range extends from $1.7 trillion to $2.3 trillion.

Impact on Domestic Policy

The U.S. government's extensive military operations have significant domestic implications. The federal government directs billions of dollars towards cutting-edge technologies and companies that support the military, often overpowering objections from employees and investors. This includes AI companies like Palantir, whose Maven Smart System is now an official Pentagon program. Additionally, technology developed for foreign surveillance has been used domestically without warrants, as evidenced by the Church Committee's findings over 50 years ago.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.