The Greatest Threat to America Isn’t China, But $34 Trillion in Debt

U.S. Debt and Deficits Endanger National Security: Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate showed remarkable fortitude with a rare bipartisan agreement. In March, senators unanimously passed a non-binding resolution that stated the U.S. debt is a national security danger. The measure determined that the $34.6 trillion debt number is “unsustainable, irresponsible, and dangerous.”

While this is a welcomed step, America’s debt levels are starting to attract some worrying attention. What can be done to halt what could eventually be a full-on debt crisis someday?

A Trillion Is Coming: Defense Spending Is Unsustainable

We are so used to buying expensive weapons systems, giving raises to military members, and funding proxy wars that policymakers have realized that without a Federal Reserve Bank printing press, the country could run out of money and not be able to fund a defense budget that is near a trillion dollars a year.

Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) and aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) perform expeditionary strike force (ESF) operations, Feb. 15, 2023 in the South China Sea. Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) and amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) with embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting joint ESF operations, representing unique high-end war fighting capabilities, maritime superiority, and power projection, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kendra Helmbrecht)

“We have more than doubled our national debt in just ten years,” said Sen. Mike Braun (R–Ind.), who sponsored the resolution. “America is moving down a dangerous and unsustainable path of reckless spending and the federal government has yet to take it seriously.”

Over One Hundred Thousand Dollars For Everyone in the U.S.

The national debt comprises $102,776 for every single person in America. In 2023, the federal deficit was up to $1.7 trillion. The interest on the debt was up to $659 billion that year. Over $749 billion of the debt is owned by China as it holds U.S. Treasurys in that amount.’

This year, the deficit hit $1.8 trillion, with interest on the debt paid at $1.1 trillion. Clearly, these are numbers that can’t be sustained.

As Braun explained, “Federal spending on interest to service the national debt is now projected to exceed Federal spending on national defense in 2024, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s Budget and Economic Outlook.” And, indeed, that did occur.

For years, military leaders have cited the U.S. deficits and debt, plus the interest on that debt, as significant national security worries.

Warnings Have Been Sounded for Years

In 2010, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, said, “the most significant threat to our national security is our debt. It is hard to imagine a circumstance where the United States can continue to lead the world when we spend more on interest than on defense in a given year.”

Cold War and Global War on Terror Not Possible Today

In 2012, Brookings Institution scholars Kenneth G. Lieberthal and Michael E. O’Hanlon also warned of a debt disaster brewing that could affect the U.S. military. They explained that if the debt and deficits had been as high as they were under the Obama administration, the United States would not have been able to win the Cold War. They wrote that America was definitely not able to pay for the Global War On Terror without hundreds of billions in overseas contingency operations – another murky budget term and euphemism for 21st century warfare.

While foreign policy and specific defense proposals rarely come up in the current campaign for the presidency, the overall deficit and debt the United States is running doesn’t even appear to be an issue for Republicans and Democrats running for any federal office.

Donald Trump Back in 2016.

Most Spending Is Unstoppable

Lawmakers and defense analysts plus other budget hawks can rarely get a word in edgewise. One of the problems with U.S. deficits is the nature of the federal government. Most government spending is automatic, such as servicing the debt and funding Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These non-discretionary outlays must be financed. The programs, especially Social Security, are insolvent and running out of money, so they will require more borrowing. The U.S. government has been described as an insurance company with a side business in weapons.

Funding Other People’s Wars

The United States is also helping fund two overseas proxy wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Israel is a significant recipient of American military aid. Nearly $200 billion has also been spent on helping Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The Defense Budget Has Automatically Recurring Spending Too

Military service members must be paid and have free healthcare and subsidized housing. Retirees’ pensions must be funded. Overseas military installations require ample dollars. These are just a few of the monetary needs, and that doesn’t count new weapons systems to answer near-peer adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, plus fighting terrorism.

What Can Be Done?

The next president must address the deficit and debt problem. The last 12 years have been a terrible time for those who want to cut the size of government. Both parties are responsible, and it will take leadership from the White House and courage from Congressional lawmakers to cut deficits and debt. This type of bipartisan resolve must strengthen as we head into the 2030s. Time is not on our side. Executing foreign affairs and military strategy is impossible if insufficient funds exist. Foreign policy starts at home and the alarm bells are ringing inside the country, but they are mostly ignored in Washington, DC.

About the Author

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.