Friday Factoids: U.S. Military Spending Highest in Post-WWII Era

Here's today's Friday Factoids. Food for though, provided, as usual, without comment...

In inflation-adjusted terms, United States defense/military spending in the Administration's FY2011 budget request is:

• $708 billion, including normal Pentagon budgets and the operating costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.


• 70 percent higher than 2001 defense spending levels.


• 13 percent higher than the Korea War peak.


• 33 percent higher than the Vietnam War peak.


• 23 percent higher than Regan-era Cold War peak.


• 64 percent higher the Cold War average.


• 15 precent higher than the post-9/11 average.

All relative comparisons in inflation-adjusted terms. All facts and figures from this study from the Center for a New American Security. A hat tip to Mark Kimbrell.