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Trump plans defence spending boost, but why?

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Trump plans defence spending boost, but why?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]More military expenditure was part of his campaign policy, but does the US need it? Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers feel such a big increase could take money out of critical domestic areas such as environmental protection and education

By Sujit Bhar

It is immaterial whether US President Donald Trump gets his billions to boost the US military. It has to pass through Congress and this is one case where a Presidential Executive Order may not be able to cut the funds ice. The issue is of Trump’s intent.

More military spending was part of his campaign policy. Trump is trying to make good this promise, as he tried with the Muslim ban.

However, the question being asked is who is Trump preparing to go to war with? ISIS doesn’t have a single fighter jet, the Russians are too risky to mishandle (and anyway Trump thinks Putin is cool), and a war with China will be mostly fought in economic corridors. Why does the US need such a huge boost?

Trump wanted a massive $ 54 billion boost on the $584 billion-plus that the US spent last fiscal. Trump wants to scrap the hugely mismanaged, and useless F-35 fighter jet project that has reportedly spent almost half a trillion dollars already. To this end, he is right.

While this Lockheed Martin mega-misadventure has bled the military establishment hugely, governors of a multitude of states have been steadfastly rooting for it, because the company provides huge employment in those states, through its several ancillary units. That is why Trump has said that he would like to see the end of the F35 focus and concentrate on the Raptor project instead.

At this point, as it stands, the US defence spending could go up to just $603 billion in total, a growth of just 3 percent, skipping slightly over the inflation rate of 2.5 percent. That is a big comedown from the proposed ten percent increase ($54 billion).

Democratic lawmakers feel such a big increase could take money out of critical domestic spending in environmental protection and education. 
To find the reason behind Trump’s unusual request for a huge boost one would not have to look beyond US boundaries. Trump’s call for new aircraft, new aircraft carriers and new fleets for the Navy makes little sense around the world where raging conflicts are of low intensity and not even involving heavy artillery or missiles.

The US, at this point, should not be scared of any hidden enemy. The Cold War is over and China is still far away in the future, if at all. But there are jobs to be created at home, there are Governors who have become too powerful, to be taught lessons. There are industrial friends to be pacified. Many of them funded his campaign and now they want their pound of flesh.

A defence spending boost could answer a big chunk of such questions. It will also boost the already huge arms export of the US. The US will not benefit in a peaceful world, and Trump, like all presidents before him, knows this well.  When oil is cheap, there is little option to war.

The Democrats are putting a spanner in the works, but the just concluded eight Democratic years had seen huge spending in war preparations. Against whom?

Nobody needs to get answers to such questions. The way it is going the US will be prepared for a full-fledged alien invasion. Maybe Americans need to get employed soon enough for that.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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PM Modi congratulates Donald Trump on winning US President election

The Prime Minister urged Trump to work for the betterment of the people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump on winning the 2024 US Presidential election and said he is looking forward to renewing their collaboration to further strengthen the India-US partnership.

The Prime Minister urged Trump to work for the betterment of the people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity.

“Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity,” PM Modi posted on his X handle.

With the results being announced for the 2024 US election on November 6, Trump became the 47th President of the United States.

Former US President Trump appeared to be on track for a remarkable political comeback in the White House race. Projections suggested that he was poised to secure the necessary 270 electoral college votes, effectively blocking Democratic candidate Kamala Harris from winning the election.

The relationship between Trump and Modi has been characterised by robust diplomatic ties, strategic collaboration, and a noticeable personal rapport. Their friendship was prominently displayed during major events such as “Howdy, Modi” in Houston in 2019 and “Namaste Trump” in Ahmedabad in 2020, where they addressed large audiences and expressed their mutual respect.

On a strategic level, Trump and Modi found common ground in matters of defense and security, both adopting a strong stance against terrorism, which reinforced their alliance, particularly concerning threats from Pakistan.

As he approaches a notable victory in the US election, Republican Presidential candidate Trump expressed gratitude to his supporters today, calling it a magnificent victory for the American people. He also referenced the assassination attempt on July 13, stating, “God spared my life for a reason.”

The 78-year-old candidate is currently projected to secure 267 electoral college votes, just three shy of the decisive 270, while his opponent, incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, holds 224 electoral votes.

Trump described the Republican campaign as the greatest political movement of all time, asserting, “We are going to help our country heal, secure our borders, and we made history for a reason tonight. This is an incredible political victory. I want to thank the American people. I will fight for you and your family with every breath I have.”

He noted that Democrats are now looking at a projected total of 315 electoral votes.

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Trump wins tight contest with simple majority, Kamala wilts in battleground states

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Donald Trump winning Speech

America’s 45th President will also be its 47th. Donald Trump won 279 electoral college votes compared to Kamala Harris’ 223.

Earlier in his victory speech, Trump declared his win as a historic occasion. He promised to work for every citizen and protect the future of their children.

Trump however didn’t wait. He spoke warmly of his allies, including Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who supported the Republican nominee through the campaign in the seven swing states.

Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina were pivotal, with each holding substantial electoral college votes.

The victory confirms his aggressive political style. He attacked his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, in personal terms while portraying a nation overwhelmed by violent migrants.

Republican Presidential candidate Trump expressed gratitude to his supporters today, calling it a magnificent victory for the American people. He also referenced the assassination attempt on July 13, stating, “God spared my life for a reason.”

The first one to congratulate Trump was none other than the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  

“Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America,” said Netanyahu. “This is a huge victory!” he added. 

UK PM Keir Starmer also extended his congratulations to Trump on winning US elections. “I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come,” he said. 

French President Emmanuel Macron, in a post on X, said: “Ready to work together as we were able to do during four years. With your convictions and mine. In respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.” 

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy too congratulated Trump on his historic election victory in the recently held United States Presidential elections. He recalled their meeting in September earlier where they both discussed the Ukraine-US strategic partnership to end Russian aggression.

“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together. We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States,” the Ukraine President said in a post on X.

In Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral college votes, Trump currently holds a three-point lead after 94% of ballots have been counted. His advantage in states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada has sparked discussions of a possible upset, especially given that Democrats claimed six of these seven states in the previous election cycle.

Swing states have long been the crux of US presidential elections due to their balanced support for both major parties. Their outcomes often tip the scales in favor of one candidate, with this year’s fierce competition highlighting the importance of every vote. If Trump succeeds in claiming all seven, it would mark a significant shift, signaling a strong Republican mandate and a departure from the Democratic victories in these regions four years ago.

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Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump: Voting begins in United States

Over 82 million Americans have opted for early voting to cast their ballots for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.

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Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump: Voting begins in United States

The Voting for the 2024 US presidential election has begun in the eastern time zone in America. Following months of intense campaigning by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her Republican challenger Donald Trump, Americans will vote to choose their next president.

Reportedly, the first ballots were cast in the minutes after midnight (US time) in a tiny New Hampshire township along the US-Canada border. Over 82 million Americans have opted for early voting to cast their ballots for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. Several pollsters have predicted a neck-and-neck contest, which brings the focus on the swing states to decide the fate of the presidential election.

Notably, in the United States, most states have a very clear preference for either the Republican or Democratic candidate. With this, only seven key swing states namely Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina will decide the result. Winning the majority of these aforesaid swing states is often essential for candidates aiming to secure the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.

In this election, Pennsylvania has emerged as the biggest prize between the two candidates. With the most electoral votes (19) than any other battleground state, Pennsylvania could possibly determine whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris clinches the White House.

On the last day of campaigning, Republican nominee Trump and Democratic nominee Harris criss-crossed key battleground states and delivered closing remarks. Former President Donald Trump, who is seeking a return to power, held rallies in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan while Vice President Kamala Harris addressed supporters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

Earlier in 2016, Donald Trump managed to make inroads in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the three Great Lakes states that make up the blue wall or a Democratic stronghold. Nonetheless, in the 2020 US Election, US President Joe Biden wrested the states back to the Democratic camp.

Notably, to win the presidency, a candidate needs a majority of electoral votes of 270 out of 538.

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