What was one of the main reasons for heavy defense spending by the United States post-Cold War?

Heavy defense spending by the United States post-Cold War was largely driven by the goal of maintaining global military dominance. Following the end of the Cold War, the U.S. emerged as the sole superpower and sought to ensure that it retained this status in a rapidly changing global landscape. The U.S. believed that a robust military was essential not only for deterrence but also for shaping international events and influencing global affairs.

This focus on military supremacy influenced various aspects of U.S. foreign policy and strategy, leading to significant investments in advanced military technologies, personnel readiness, and global military infrastructure. The idea was to project power and ensure that the U.S. could engage effectively in conflicts or crises around the world, aligning with national interests.

In contrast, while the expansion of NATO and support for democratic movements were certainly components of U.S. foreign policy, they do not fully encapsulate the broader and more persistent rationale for defense spending in the post-Cold War era, which revolved around maintaining a dominant military presence globally. Strategic interests in Asia, though significant, represent a more specific regional focus rather than an overarching reason for overall defense spending during that period.