How many killy things do we need before our country is safe from invasion? The United States defense budget is enormous–it's larger than the next eight largest countries combined, most of which we're buddies with.

But military spending is only partially designed around our protection. A significant portion of America's defense tab is caught up in the military-industrial complex. Politicians love to send federal money and jobs back to their district, and defense contractors eagerly soak up the cash. The $400 billion F-35 program, for example, is the most expensive weapons program in history. Yet it might be obsolete by the time it's finished.

In the latest Mostly Weekly, Andrew Heaton explores the scope of defense spending and whether or not we're getting our money's worth.

Mostly Weekly is hosted by Andrew Heaton with headwriter Sarah Rose Siskind. Watch past episodes here.

Script by Andrew Heaton with writing assistance from Sarah Rose Siskind, Brian Sack, and David Fried

Edited by Austin Bragg and Sarah Rose Siskind.

Produced by Meredith and Austin Bragg.

Theme Song: Frozen by Surfer Blood.

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