A quarter-century after the September 11 attacks reshaped global security, the U.S. is facing a stark fiscal and strategic reckoning, with military expenditures and national debt surging while diplomatic efforts and international partnerships weaken. Critics warn that the prolonged focus on defense has come at the expense of soft power, straining alliances and undermining long-term stability. The shift raises questions about whether the post-9/11 security framework remains sustainable—or even effective—in an evolving world order. With economic and geopolitical tensions mounting, the trade-offs between defense spending and global engagement are under closer scrutiny than ever.
Twenty-five years after 9/11, debt and defence spending are ballooning while diplomacy is starved and allies are alienated
