Military Spending and Global Peace: Costs, Alliances, and the Road to Pa

War carries a heavy price tag, and the most tragic cost remains lives. Yet the economic toll is a decisive factor in shaping whether conflicts endure. It may seem counterintuitive, but the world’s two most expensive wars right now are the Ukraine conflict and the Israeli occupation of Gaza. They are costly because they involve wealthier nations directly and, as a result, they exert the strongest pressure on the global economy and the broader pursuit of peace. Global military spending climbed by about 9% last year, reaching a record of roughly $2.2 trillion, a rise that amplified global insecurity. This snapshot comes from the 65th Military Balance report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Almost half of that sum covers defense outlays by NATO member states. IISS projections suggest this year may set a new peak in military expenditure.