Who are the ‘real’ war Mafias?

by Lavanya Nicola 

Driven by the rising geopolitical tensions, significant increases in European defense spending, and warfare modernisation efforts in Asia, the global military expenditure in 2026 is projected to reach approximately $2.7 - $3.1 trillion.  

More so, with the recent ongoing wars amidst Russia-Ukraine, Gaza and the recent active Middle East conflict, the world’s arms manufacturing sector has reached to a record striking amount of $1 trillion. The same global revenue in the year 2022 was about $600 billion. 

In addition, of the 100 top weapon manufacturers in the world, about 40 arms are based out of United States, and they alone account for a combined revenue of approximately $515 billion. 

Another data further showed that just between 2019 and 2025, the five largest arms exporting nations were the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany and UK that (together) could have supplied approximately 75% of the world's arms exports during this period. 

Remember, these are the same nations who also happen to retain their permanent membership with the United Nations Peace Security Council. Such a sad state of affairs! 

These staggering amounts which is almost equivalent to some countries GDP, if used correctly, could literally get hundreds of millions out of poverty, modernise entire regions and even accelerate entire global economic and social development. 

So, who are the real war mafias here? 

The ones taking advantage of the wars? or the ones sent to battlefields to fight strangers with whom they have personal vengeance? 

The real criminals are the ones who are deliberately instigating wars under the pretext of self defence or world peace from the cozy comforts of their luxuries. 

And these are the extremists who should be exposed and punished, so to bring justice to those who lost their lives in the crossfire.