... defense budget grows annually by about 8-10%, while Pakistan, despite financial difficulties, also maintains a significant share in its defense budget (around 4% of GDP in the 2020s, more than what it spends on education and healthcare). Thus, any new round of arms race fueled by escalation translates to profits for arms manufacturers. Their interest is that both sides continue to perceive threats and strive to surpass each other in strength. In summary, one can conclude that conflict escalation creates ...