William D. Hartung

WilliamHartung

William D. Hartung is a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

Lockheed F-35 Jet Australia

Military Spending Isn’t the Economic Galvanizer You Think it Is Military Spending Isn’t the Economic Galvanizer You Think it Is

The opportunity costs of throwing endless trillions of dollars at the military means far less is invested in other crucial American needs

Feb 29, 2024 / William D. Hartung

photo of a US tank; US training ukrainian military how to use it, it will be delivered there

The Devastating Wars Abroad Are Windfalls for Weapons Manufacturers The Devastating Wars Abroad Are Windfalls for Weapons Manufacturers

Your tax dollars are being squandered in the rush to build and sell ever more weaponry for ongoing wars.

Nov 23, 2023 / William D. Hartung

Civilians in Gaza rescue people trapped under rubble

Israel’s War in Gaza, Subsidized by the USA Israel’s War in Gaza, Subsidized by the USA

Reliance on US aid gives the Biden administration leverage to push for a cease-fire, hostage exchange, and an end to the slaughter of civilians—if it can find the political will.

Nov 10, 2023 / William D. Hartung

A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning fighter jet is shown at the Singapore Airshow in 2014

The Pentagon Won Big With the Debt Ceiling Bill The Pentagon Won Big With the Debt Ceiling Bill

And thanks to a loophole in the budget deal, national security spending will only increase.

Jul 3, 2023 / William D. Hartung and Julia Gledhill

A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning fighter jet is shown at the Singapore Airshow in 2014

The Military Industrial Complex Is More Powerful Than Ever The Military Industrial Complex Is More Powerful Than Ever

The current war machine isn’t your grandfather’s MIC, not by a country mile.

May 9, 2023 / William D. Hartung and Benjamin Freeman

President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Why Eisenhower’s “Chance for Peace” Address Still Matters Why Eisenhower’s “Chance for Peace” Address Still Matters

The speech was an indictment of nuclear buildup and excessive military spending.

Apr 19, 2023 / William D. Hartung

US soldier Mosul

Get Ready for Yet Another Pentagon Spending Spree Get Ready for Yet Another Pentagon Spending Spree

This year, the budget will be in striking distance of the $1 trillion mark that hawkish officials and pundits could only dream about a few short years ago.

Mar 29, 2023 / William D. Hartung

North Korea Missile

The Pentagon’s Irresponsible Spending Is Now Dangerous The Pentagon’s Irresponsible Spending Is Now Dangerous

The Department of Defense commits staggering numbers of taxpayer dollars to new weapons programs without doing its due diligence, all too often resulting in dysfunctional syst...

Feb 16, 2023 / Julia Gledhill and William D. Hartung

U.S. President Joe Biden participates in a virtual meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Roosevelt Room of the White House November 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Biden met with his Chinese counterpart to discuss bilateral issues.

War With China Is Preventable, Not Inevitable War With China Is Preventable, Not Inevitable

What is needed is a policy of constructive coexistence.

Feb 9, 2023 / Jake Werner and William D. Hartung

An unarmed Trident II D5 missile is test-launched

Who Benefits Most From a Bloated Pentagon Budget? The Weapons Industry. Who Benefits Most From a Bloated Pentagon Budget? The Weapons Industry.

The Pentagon’s long-awaited National Defense Strategy, released late last year, is an object lesson in how not to make choices among competing priorities. 

Jan 20, 2023 / William D. Hartung

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