China’s is increasing its military power and build new economic ties around the world.
China’s recent leasing of a $1.3 billion port in Sri Lanka for the next 99 years.
Last August, China unveiled its first overseas military base in the East African country of Djibouti, where the U.S. and French militaries also operated.
The United States is the largest operator of military bases abroad, with 38 “named bases” having active-duty, National Guard, reserve, or civilian personnel as of September 30, 2014. Its largest, in terms of personnel, was Ramstein AB, in Germany, with almost 9,200 personnel. The Pentagon stated in 2013 that there are “around” 5000 bases total, with “around” 600 of them overseas.
Estimated U.S. military spending is $886 billion (Fiscal Year 2019 submitted to Congress). Military spending is the second largest item in the federal budget after Social Security. The United States spends more on defense than the next nine countries combined.
There are four components.
1. $597.1 billion base budget for the Department of Defense.
2. the overseas contingency operations for DoD to fight the Islamic State group ($88.9 billion).
3. Total of other agencies that protect our nation ($181.3 billion.)
-Department of Veterans Affairs ($83.1 billion),
– the State Department ($28.3 billion)
– Homeland Security ($46 billion)
– FBI and Cybersecurity in the Department of Justice ($8.8 billion)
-National Nuclear Security Administration in the Department of Energy ($15.1 billion).
4. $18.7 billion in OCO funds for the State Department and Homeland Security to fight ISIS.
The DoD base budget does not include the cost of wars. Overseas Contingency Operations are budgeted at $64.6 billion for DoD and $12 billion for the State Department.
The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS). President Donald J. Trump submitted his FY2018 budget request to Congress on May 23, 2017. The request seeks $40.25 billion (-30% compared with FY2017 enacted) for SFOPS, including Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funds. Of this total, $13.20 billion (-27% compared with FY2017 enacted) would be for the Department of State Operations and related programs. For Foreign Operations, the FY2018 request includes $27.05 billion (-31% compared with FY2017 enacted).
The FY 2019 President’s Budget for the State Department and USAID is $39.3 billion, which includes $16.8 billion in assistance that USAID fully or partially manages through the Economic Support and Development Fund, Global Health Programs, Transition Initiatives, International Disaster Assistance, and USAID operational accounts.
US has way more Allies
China has established new military ties with countries like Pakistan, Russia and, especially, across Africa.
The United States has Europe, Canada and the other NATO countries. Of the 29 NATO member countries, Canada and the United States and 27 are European countries and Turkey in Eurasia. The US also has tight relations with Japan, South Korea and Australia.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
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