defense spending

The war in Ukraine will be top of mind when leaders from North America and Europe meet in Lithuania. So will the makeup of the alliance itself, as Ukraine continues pushing for membership.

Despite the president's criticism of the alliance, his administration has spent far more on a European defense program than did the Obama White House. U.S. troop levels in Europe have also risen.

The world is spending more on the military since global figures became available in 1988. Together, the U.S. and China make up half of the world's military spending.

President Trump is heading to Brussels for a NATO summit this week. The alliance wants to present a united front, but Trump has complained that other members are not spending enough on defense.

President Trump set out his national security strategy Monday, stressing strong defense, homeland protection and economic prosperity. It could help guide decisions on defense spending and trade talks.

The recent spending compromise may well have just kicked the can down the road until September, when both sides may be spoiling for a fight amid the specter of a government shutdown.

President Trump's budget blueprint calls for a 10 percent increase in military spending, along with deep cuts in foreign aid and the Environmental Protection Agency.