On this episode of Deep Focus, guest host Matthew Hoh sits down with William D. Hartung, Senior Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and co-author of The Trillion Dollar War Machine, to examine America's soaring military budget, the rise of AI-driven warfare, and Silicon Valley's growing influence over U.S. defense policy.They discuss the true cost of Pentagon spending, whether artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons are changing the nature of war, the military-industrial complex, the future of drone warfare, the role of companies like Palantir, SpaceX, and Anduril, and why technological superiority has repeatedly failed to deliver victory on the battlefield. The conversation also explores the Iran conflict, the human consequences of AI-powered warfare, and the growing political power of today's tech billionaires.If you enjoy in-depth conversations on geopolitics, global affairs, military strategy, and the forces shaping our world, subscribe to The Deep Focus Show for more long-form interviews with leading experts, journalists, and whistleblowers.5:05 The Real U.S. Military Budget Explained7:45 How America Really Spends $2 Trillion on War9:04 Why Endless Military Spending Is Bankrupting America10:53 The Myth That Technology Wins Wars12:05 Silicon Valley's Vision for the Future15:31 The Rise of AI Warfare & the MAGA Military19:53 Can AI Actually Win Future Wars?23:58 How Defense Contractors Silence Critics31:13 Why Cheap Drones Beat Billion-Dollar Weapons32:56 Is the Pentagon Built to Win Wars—or Make Profits?35:00 Inside the Pentagon's Broken Procurement System37:07 The Human Cost of AI-Driven Warfare40:31 Why the U.S. Military Is Struggling to Recruit41:23 Silicon Valley's New Military Empire43:13 Are Tech Billionaires Becoming More Powerful Than Governments?Thanks for tuning in and your support for the channel!