📅 Last updated: March 3, 2026
The State of the Empire
A comprehensive overview of America's military footprint — spending, casualties, overseas presence, and the true cost of 249 years of war.
🧠 Key Insights
- • The US has been at war for ~229 of its 249 years — spending $11.5T total, with 26 conflicts waged without congressional authorization.
- • The defense budget has grown 51% since 2015 ($586B → $886B) — Congress consistently appropriates more than the President requests, and the Pentagon has failed 7 consecutive audits.
- • 17 veterans commit suicide daily while 38 million people have been displaced by the War on Terror — the human cost is staggering and ongoing, even as new conflicts emerge.
- • The true annual national security cost exceeds $1.4 trillion — when you include VA, intelligence, homeland security, nuclear weapons, and war debt interest. That's $28,095/second.
$886B/yr
Annual Defense Budget
3.4% of GDP · More than next 10 nations combined
$4,170
Cost Per Taxpayer
Your annual share of the $886B budget
17/day
Veteran Suicides
130,000+ since 2001 · More than combat deaths
$28,095/sec
Spending Rate
$2.4B/day · $101.1M/hour
$11.5T
Total Cost (All Wars)
1,049,469
US Deaths
5.2M+
Civilian Deaths
750
Overseas Bases
$886B/yr
DoD Budget (FY2024)
36
Conflicts
26
Undeclared Wars
6
Ongoing
17/day
Veteran Suicides
$8T
War on Terror Cost
38M
People Displaced
Budget Trend
↑ 51%
From $586B (2015) to $886B (2024)
Active Conflicts
6
Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, War on Terror
Vet Suicide Trend
↓ slightly
From 22/day (2012) to 17/day (2021)
Audit Status
FAILED ×7
Never passed since first attempt in 2018
249 Years at War
The United States has been at war for roughly 229 of its 249 years. Since WWII, 26 of its conflicts have been fought without a formal declaration of war. The War on Terror alone — triggered by an attack carried out by 19 men — expanded to 78 countries, cost $8T, killed an estimated 940,000+ people, and displaced 38 million.
Today, 173,000 American troops are stationed in 80 countries. The military burns $886B per year — $2.4B per day, $28,095 per second. The Pentagon has never passed an audit.
The defense budget has grown every year regardless of party. Congress consistently appropriates more than the President requests. The F-35 program alone will cost $1.7T over its lifetime. 500+ former Pentagon officials work for defense contractors.
Recent Developments
Iran 2026
US launches military strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities without congressional vote
FY2025 Budget
$895B requested — expected to exceed $900B after Congress adds to it
Red Sea Operations
Ongoing strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen — $1B+ in missiles expended
Pentagon Audit #7
Failed again in 2024. $3.8 trillion in assets unaccounted for.
⏳ War Timeline — All Major Conflicts
Every conflict costing $1B+ shown on a timeline. Hover for details.
Military Spending (Billions $)
Spending by Conflict (Pie)
Cost by Conflict
Deaths by Conflict
Overseas Bases by Country
● LIVEOngoing Operations
Ukraine Military Support
2022–Present · Europe
War Against ISIS
2014–Present · Middle East
Global War on Terror (Other Operations)
2001–Present · Global
Iran War (2026)
2026–Present · Middle East
Global Drone Campaign
2004–Present · Multiple (Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Libya)
Lebanon: America's Proxy Front (2023–Present)
2023–Present · Middle East
Somalia (AFRICOM Operations)
2007–Present · Africa
● ACTIVECurrent Military Operations
US forces are currently engaged in combat or support operations across multiple theaters.
Operation Epic Fury (Iran)
Operation Inherent Resolve (ISIS)
Operation Prosperity Guardian
CT Operations (Somalia)
NATO Enhanced Forward Presence
Indo-Pacific Deployments
The Human Cost
Explore the Data
All Conflicts
36 wars & interventions
Timeline
1775 to present
Military Spending
$886B/yr budget
Casualties
1,049,469 Americans killed
Overseas Bases
750 bases in 80 countries
Defense Contractors
Who profits from war
Arms Sales
$238B/yr in weapons
Foreign Aid
$68B/yr
Opportunity Cost
What else $8T could buy
Covert Operations
CIA coups & secret wars
Analysis
Deep dives & essays
Your Tax Receipt
Your personal war cost
⚡ Quick Navigation
💡 By the Numbers
- • $28,095/second on defense
- • 36 conflicts since 1775
- • 26 undeclared wars (no congressional authorization)
- • 469 foreign interventions since 1798
- • $1.4T+ true annual national security cost
- • 17 veteran suicides per day
- • 750 bases in 80 countries
- • Pentagon CO₂ footprint exceeds 55 countries
- • F-35 lifetime cost: $1.7T
- • 0 audits passed (7 consecutive failures)