Europe's War Machine Thrives as Crisis Turns Profit
Bloomberg Politics announced with a straight face that Europe’s defense industry expanded by a robust 13.8% in 2024, raking in €183.4 billion ($213 billion). The 'growth' is attributed to increased demand, a euphemism, analysts would say, for ongoing conflicts and the purposeful stoking of fear. What's left unsaid is that every percentage point increase represents more weapons sales, more
lobbying, and more blood money funneling into the coffers of firms like Rheinmetall and BAE Systems, who then generously fund political campaigns across the continent. While European citizens grapple with inflation and dwindling social services, their defense contractors are posting record profits. One might wonder if the 'security threats' underpinning this growth are, in part, manufactured to
ensure the perpetual motion of this lucrative war economy. After all, peace doesn’t provide quarterly returns like constant conflict. This isn't just about 'defense'; it's about the relentless commodification of instability.