The Global Arms Race in the 21st Century: Military Expansion, Strategic Competition, and the Future of Warfare
The Global Institute for Strategic Studies (GISS) The world is entering a new era of military expansion and strategic competition marked by rising defence budgets, rapid technological innovation, and intensifying geopolitical tensions. After decades in which many governments reduced military spending following the Cold War, global defence expenditure has once again reached historic levels. […]
The risks of kinetic counter-proliferation
Iran’s nuclear programme has featured repeatedly in stated rationales from the United States for recent US–Israel-led military operations against the country. Beginning in late February 2026, the US military has repeatedly struck Iranian targets, killing the country’s political leadership as well as destroying Iran’s missile capability, navy and other military forces.