How much money for defense is enough?

The U.S. spends about $900 billion a year on defense, which is about 15% of the federal budget, or roughly 3.3% of the gross domestic product. Given all of today’s national security challenges—Russia, China, cybersecurity, terrorism—is that enough, more than enough, or still not quite enough? Could the U.S. buy more security by spending the defense budget more efficiently? In an era of competing budget priorities and growing budget deficits, what should the Pentagon’s priorities be?

On Wednesday, August 30 the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy and the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology addressed those questions. Michael O’Hanlon, a senior fellow, director of the Talbott Center, and a self-described “cheap hawk,” outlined his views on how the Pentagon can improve America’s defense capabilities without large increases in spending.

Following O’Hanlon’s presentation, he was joined by Mackenzie Eaglen of AEI and Travis Sharp of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, with David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center,  moderating the panel.

This is an in-person event, and will also be livestreamed. Questions may be submitted to [email protected] or on Twitter using the hashtag #DefenseBudget.

Registration is required to attend an event in person and guests at Brookings are required to attest to their state of health before attending. Visitors may not enter the building if they are feeling ill for any reason, have any symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19, or have tested positive for COVID-19 at any time in the preceding 14 days.