US President Donald Trump has requested $1.5 trillion in defense spending in his new budget proposal, which marks a 44% increase. This comes as the country remains engaged in conflict in the Middle East. The plan has been widely controversial.

US President Donald Trump is seeking congressional approval for US$1.5 trillion in defence spending in his new budget proposal, underscoring his administration’s focus on military investment as the country remains engaged in conflict in the Middle East. The blueprint released by the White House on Friday for the financial year 2027 proposes a 44 per cent increase in the US defence budget – implementing the widely controversial plan first unveiled by Trump in a January social media post. If...