Marine veteran and opinion contributor Joslin Joseph reported on August 24, 2026, that total U.S. military spending since 2001 has reached $18 trillion, with the national debt rising to $40 trillion. Joseph argued that the ongoing costs of global counterterrorism operations have fulfilled a 2004 prediction by Osama bin Laden, who stated his policy was to bleed the United States to the point of bankruptcy. The analysis cited current figures showing that interest on borrowing now stands at $1.1 trillion, a figure double the amount spent on Veterans Affairs (VA) medical and disability expenses.
The report noted that while the U.S. expanded operations following the September 11 attacks, militant groups have continued to proliferate. The Islamic State emerged from Al Qaeda in Iraq, while Iranian-backed operations involving Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis have increased. Joseph also highlighted that Islamist cells have carried out strikes in Kenya, Nigeria, India, and France. Despite the 2011 death of bin Laden, U.S. military involvement has continued across multiple administrations, including the use of drone strikes under President Obama.
Current defense requirements reported by Joseph indicate the Department of Defense is seeking $1.5 trillion in annual funding to maintain safety. However, official reports cited in the analysis indicate that U.S. missile stockpiles are currently low due to conflict with Iran. Additionally, Joseph noted that billions have been paid to military contractors, such as General Dynamics, who have reportedly failed to deliver certain artillery. Recent exercises comparing U.S. and Ukrainian forces also suggested difficulties for U.S. forces in modern drone warfare.
Service members and their families are directly impacted by the frequency of deployments, which Joseph reports are occurring to the point where personnel are "breaking" both during and after their tours. Military families would notice these effects through the sustained operational tempo on platforms like the USS Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, small business owners and the broader economy are affected by what former CIA agent John Kiriakou suggested is a "permanent war economy," where a cessation of military spending could potentially trigger a recession.
The knock-on effects include a strain on the U.S. industrial base and national security readiness. According to the report, the U.S. is currently facing shortages in critical missile stockpiles and experiencing failures in the delivery of weapons from major contractors. As of August 2026, the U.S. is facing a proposed $1.5 trillion annual defense budget. Future policy decisions will be shaped by these fiscal constraints and the scheduled evaluations of U.S. modern warfare capabilities following recent exercises with Ukrainian forces.