The War Machine: The Darkest And Most Profitable Business In The World.

There’s something special about war for people who live in first-world countries. It’s treated like a distant spectacle, a crisis for “those other places,” far from the Starbucks drive-thru and grocery aisle debates over oat milk. But the reality is, that war isn’t a rare tragedy—it’s the norm. Over the past 3,400 years, only 268 of them have seen peace. Human history is essentially one long conflict with a few intermissions.

While we scroll past news about drone strikes and troop movements, there’s a small group of people popping champagne. War is the oldest, dirtiest business there is. And business is good. Weapons, security services, infrastructure rebuilding—there’s no shortage of cash to grab. And the craziest part? While soldiers bleed and civilians suffer, someone, somewhere, is raking in unimaginable profits.

Think about it: every government needs to be armed to the teeth. But weapons don’t build themselves. Bullets, tanks, fighter jets, and security services all come with hefty price tags, and the suppliers cash in every time a conflict breaks out. Whether it’s Vietnam, Iraq, or Ukraine, there’s always a new frontier.

This newsletter isn’t just about defense contractors or arms dealers. War profiteering is an entire ecosystem. It’s about understanding that war is a finely-tuned business model—and how you, the taxpayer, are bankrolling it without even realizing it.

WAR PROFITEERING 101

Understanding war profiteering is essential for seeing how conflict affects not just global politics, but also your daily life. During World War I, a staggering 21 million new millionaires and billionaires emerged, capitalizing on the war economy. This created a complex system where military spending fuels corporate profits, often at the expense of taxpayers like you and me. Let’s break down how this works and what it means for you.

STEP 1: SELLING SURVIVAL—AT ANY PRICE

The first step for these war profiteers? Get in the business of war. This could mean manufacturing weapons, running supply chains, or controlling essential goods like fuel, food, and steel. Governments become desperate customers, willing to pay outrageous prices—because losing isn't an option. Even banks play along, lending billions to fuel conflicts, knowing they'll collect with interest whether the war is won or lost. Inflation or public debt? Not their problem.

During the Iraq War, Halliburton charged $100 for doing a soldier’s laundry. Contractors billed double for meals, fuel, and anything else they could get away with. And the military paid without blinking. Why? Because, in war, there’s no room to negotiate. When survival is on the line, the cost doesn’t matter—only the supply does.

The result? Massive profits funneled into private hands while governments print and borrow money to cover the bills. Inflation and debt are not their concern. They’ll pass that pain onto you as the taxpayer.

STEP 2: LOYALTY IS BAD FOR BUSINESS

For the seasoned war profiteer, loyalty isn’t to one country—it’s to all governments willing to pay. Patriotism? That’s not profitable. Limiting yourself to one nation’s military would be bad business. Why stick with just one paycheck when you can collect from both sides?

History backs this strategy. During World War II, U.S. companies like IBM and Ford sold to both the Allies and Nazi Germany. Business doubled, and nobody lost sleep over it. The goal wasn’t to win the war, it was to ensure that no matter who won, they came out on top.

It’s not personal. After all, governments are replaceable, and soldiers are a renewable resource. The business of war doesn’t have room for sentiment. If your weapons happen to take out soldiers from the same country that gave you a contract, so what? As long as the checks clear, you’ve done your job. And there will always be another government eager to buy.

STEP 3: IF THERE'S NO WAR, START ONE

No war, no profits. That’s the dilemma. And the small wars that happen here and there? Sure, they keep the lights on, but the real money flows when superpowers like the U.S. decide to go all-in. The only catch? The public doesn’t want war—after all, they’re the ones getting sent to fight it.

So what’s the solution? Simple. Manufacture consent. You can’t just sit back and hope for conflict; you’ve got to make it happen. This is where lobbyists and politician friends come in. With the right incentives (a little campaign funding goes a long way), you can get them to sing the praises of war on TV, in Congress, and anywhere else that counts. Just stir up enough fear and patriotism, and suddenly, war feels like the only option.

The goal isn’t just to convince governments that war is necessary—it’s to convince everyone, including you and me. Fear is a powerful tool. Whip up a national security crisis, push stories about enemies lurking around the corner, and the public will rally behind anything if it feels like survival is on the line.

STEP 4: THE REAL FUN BEGINS—RAMPANT WASTE AND FRAUD

Once the war machine is running, the profits really start rolling. The military’s checkbook stays wide open, and contractors charge whatever they want.

This is where the beauty of overcharging for everything occurs. A $10 wrench? No, no—that’s a $500 military-grade wrench. A simple tent for soldiers? Mark that up to thousands of dollars because now it’s a “high-performance weather-resistant tactical field solution.” Every product is rebranded, inflated, and sold at absurd prices. And guess what? The government just shrugs and signs the checks—after all, it’s not their money.

Overcharging isn’t just allowed; it’s expected. Why? Because everyone gets their cut. Defense contractors take their massive profits, subcontractors get a slice, and even middlemen walk away rich.

But here’s what to keep in mind, it’s not just about selling overpriced products. Private military firms charge for soldiers, security, and logistics. Every gallon of fuel, every meal, and every bullet comes with a hefty markup. The more chaotic the conflict, the easier it is to hide the profits in “cost overruns” and “operational delays.”

THE MASSIVE EFFECTS ON YOUR LIFE

Take a close look at the U.S. military budget—over $800 billion a year. A huge chunk of that doesn’t stay within government agencies. It flows into companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing. In 2020 alone, Lockheed Martin raked in $75 billion from the Pentagon—more than the entire budget of the U.S. State Department.

Here’s the kicker: You’re paying for all of it. Governments can’t just simply raise taxes to fund wars—that would be way too obvious and citizens will completely revolt.

So instead of raising taxes directly, governments print money. This leads to inflation, a hidden tax that diminishes your savings. Each dollar printed makes the money you have less valuable. Food, rent, gas—everything gets more expensive.

the worst part? Even if the war ends, the spending doesn’t stop. The military-industrial complex ensures that contracts keep rolling in, maintaining bloated budgets under the disguise of “readiness” for the next conflict.

When war becomes big business, peace takes a backseat. There’s no incentive to end conflict—only to prolong it, ensuring a steady flow of profits. Meanwhile, taxpayers are left paying the tab for generations to come through debt and inflation. As a result, wars fought in faraway places suddenly hit close to home for you and me—not with bombs, but with rising prices and shrinking bank accounts.

WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US?

War isn’t just a fight on the battlefield—it’s a carefully curated financial ecosystem. The most profitable players aren’t soldiers or politicians; they’re companies. They’ll lobby for conflict, sell weapons to anyone with cash, and rebuild what gets destroyed, charging a premium every step of the way.

If you’re waiting for governments to rein this in, don’t hold your breath. War isn’t a bug in the system—it is the system. And as long as conflict is more profitable than peace, it will never stop.

The key takeaway? Recognize the game. Understand how this system operates so you can carve out a life that doesn’t rely solely on government support during crises. The war profiteers are betting you won’t notice. But If you see the reality for what it is, you can begin to change your approach—taking charge of your financial future for you and your family.

The truth is that while peace may not be profitable, awareness is. Understanding the system is the first step toward breaking free. With whispers of global conflicts on the horizon, staying informed and proactive has never been more critical.

There’s undoubtedly much more to explore on this topic that I have not even touched on here, so I encourage you to keep an open mind, question everything—including what I’ve shared here—and approach your actions with the mindset of “knowledge is power.” Use that knowledge to shape your own reality.

As always thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it.

Financevaults.

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