To understand why the US government spends so much on rich countries, you can’t just think in economic terms, since that’s not what why the US government is doi

To understand why the US government spends so much on rich countries, you can’t just think in economic terms, since that’s not what why the US government is doing it. The reason is geopolitical. It is seen as necessary to give money to allies to prop up their military so the US hegemony can be maintained. Adversaries (China, Russia, Iran) need to be made afraid not only of US might, but also of Allies’ might. So the US doesn’t wait around for those countries to spend on their military on their own, or god forbid to realign their alliances based on their spending. Checks it is.