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http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0609-07.htm [Broken]World military spending leapt 11 percent in 2003 due to a "massive increase" from the U.S. war on terror but the pace may slow down as Washington's pre-emptive strike policy comes under pressure, says a leading think-tank.
The United States accounted for almost half the $956 billion total, which grew by 18 percent in real terms during 2002 and 2003, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said on Wednesday.
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041102-073358-8320r.htmAmong comments not released until Monday, bin Laden said: "We are continuing this policy in bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy," adding it was "easy for us to provoke and bait this administration."
As part of the "bleed-until-bankruptcy plan," bin Laden cited a British estimate that it cost al-Qaida about $500,000 to carry out the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, an amount he said paled in comparison with the costs incurred by the United States.
"Every dollar of al-Qaida defeated a million dollars, by the permission of Allah, besides the loss of a huge number of jobs," he said.
"Imperial Overstretch" is a theory that suggests a country's attempt to maintain a global empire will ultimately lead to its downfall due to excessive military spending, overextension of resources, and foreign policy failures.
According to the theory, a country's pursuit of a global empire often leads to a disproportionate amount of resources being allocated towards maintaining its military presence in multiple regions. This can result in a strain on the economy and overall budget, potentially leading to financial instability and cuts in other essential areas such as healthcare and education.
The theory suggests that countries that engage in "Imperial Overstretch" are at risk of decline and eventual collapse of their empire. This can be due to various factors such as overextension of resources, economic strain, and resistance from other countries or local populations. Additionally, the pursuit of an empire can also lead to negative perceptions and backlash from the international community.
The War Resisters' International Pie Chart is a visual representation of the global distribution of military spending. It highlights the disproportionate amount of resources allocated towards military spending compared to other essential areas such as healthcare and education. This disparity in spending aligns with the theory of "Imperial Overstretch" and reinforces the potential consequences of prioritizing military power over other important societal needs.
No, "Imperial Overstretch" is a controversial theory that is debated among scholars and policymakers. While some argue that pursuing a global empire can lead to decline and collapse, others argue that it can bring economic and political benefits to a country. The validity of the theory also depends on various factors such as the specific country and historical context.