The EU outspends Russia 2.4 to 1, down from nearly 4 to 1 in 2021
EU military spending rose 76.2% between 2021 and 2025; Russia’s rose 188.9%. The spending ratio narrowed from 3.97 to 2.42, a decline of 39%.
18 posts with this tag
smart power
EU 1 – UK 0: Britain’s services exports grew, but the EU grew faster
British services exports grew strongly between 2014 and 2025, but slightly slower than the EU27’s. What can closer trade agreements achieve?
Russia spends 7.50% of GDP on its military. The EU spends 2.18%. No year since 2010 closes that gap
World Bank WDI to 2025: Russia 7.50% of GDP on the military against the EU27 aggregate's 2.18% — a 3.44:1 gap with no crossover since 2010, scored across plan, policy and performance.
America Still Outspends China. The Budget Is Only the Beginning.
America spent about 2.84 times as much as China in 2025. The comparison measures money, while the strategic test concerns delivery.
Britain Edges India: Don't Mistake Size for Speed
Britain sits just ahead of India in the latest World Bank dollar GDP figures. What does that measure—and what should governments deliver next?
Beijing’s Diplomacy Dividend
China now leads America on Asian diplomatic influence, while public opinion is shifting towards Beijing across much of the world.
The Silent Capture of the Pacific
Japan is watching China’s carriers. Beijing’s quieter trade offensive may do more to shape who controls the Pacific.
America’s deterrence is on order
America remains the world’s leading military power. The awkward question is whether it can turn a vast future budget into deterrence before China changes the facts around Taiwan.
The rehearsal is becoming the routine
Japan says the cross-strait military balance is tilting towards China. The Smart Power contest is whether Taiwan and its partners can stop grey-zone pressure becoming the new normal.
From sick man to power socket
Britain could become a net electricity exporter beyond 2030. The Smart Power question is whether it can do so without exchanging Russian energy dependence for Chinese battery dependence.