Keeping an Eye on the Long Game: Part XXXIX

We have our defense budget challenges .... China has theirs;

China plans to increase defense spending 11.2 percent this year as the country’s expanding global commitments and lingering territorial disputes drive demand for more warships, missiles and fighter planes.
...
China’s defense spending increased an average of 16.2 percent a year from 1999 to 2008, according to figures from a defense white paper published in 2009. While building up spending, China has also proclaimed that it takes a nonconfrontational approach in the region.

“China’s limited military strength is aimed at safeguarding sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity,” Li said. “It will not in the least pose a threat to other countries.”

Watch capabilities ... not intentions.

Let's see ... if they keep that 11.4% average up the rule-of-72 tells us that the Chinese defense budget will double in ~6.4 years.

That would be right in the middle of the first administration of President Rand Paul and before we go in the the Terrible 20s.

Nice peace dividend I am sure.