Lead
As 2026 passes its halfway point, Al Jazeera's investigative series 'All Hail the Military' has set out to answer a hard question: Why does militarism persist? In its fifth season, the series, presented by journalist Ali Rae, moves beyond defining militarism to trace the systems and power that sustain it, combining analysis of record global military spending, the expanding role of tech giants in defence contracting, and the human cost of conflict.
The series comes at a time when, as Al Jazeera reports, global conflicts are surging, with nearly 60 active conflicts worldwide, war-related deaths at a 30-year high, and more than 120 million people displaced. The network describes the series as 'not a rallying cry but a warning', focusing on the structures that feed militarism rather than front-line reporting.
Coverage comparison
Two Al Jazeera articles provide the basis for this report. The first, published on 7 May 2026, introduces the series and its central argument, framing the shift from military-industrial complex to military-tech complex as a dangerous evolution. The second, published on 13 May 2026, promotes Episode One and expands on this theme, highlighting the role of Palantir, Anduril, Google and other tech companies.
Both articles carry the same critical tone, with language emphasizing 'dangerous truth', 'escalation', and 'instability'. The coverage aligns in attributing the persistence of militarism to a combination of profit-driven industries, record defence budgets, and the limitations of international law. Neither article presents contrary viewpoints or quotes from industry representatives or government officials; the framing is entirely critical of the military-tech complex.
Key Claims
The rise of the military-tech complex
According to Al Jazeera, the military-industrial complex has evolved into a military-tech complex. The network reports that tech giants such as Palantir, Anduril, and Google are now selling AI-powered, computer-guided weapons systems marketed as 'smart', 'safe', and 'surgical'. However, the series asserts that behind this branding lies a dangerous reality of escalation and instability, with an increasingly rapid evolution of the tech sector finding profit in large-scale warfare.
Record global military spending and a US 'dream military'
Al Jazeera reports that global military spending reached a record $2.88 trillion in 2025, with the United States accounting for $954bn—about 33 percent of the total and more than the next six countries combined. In April 2026, the Trump administration proposed $1.5 trillion in US defence spending for the fiscal year beginning October 1, to build what it called a 'dream military'. Al Jazeera suggests this budget increase would 'drive greater profits and accelerate the shift from a traditional military-industrial complex to a military-tech complex'.
The human and genetic toll of war
The series also explores the physical and genetic effects of war. Al Jazeera claims that war trauma may leave traces not only in the mind but also in the body, potentially at a genetic level, by influencing how genes behave through chemical 'switches'. Additionally, exposure to war as a child may accelerate the ageing process, bringing its effects earlier in life and, in some cases, making them more severe. These claims, presented with medium confidence by the source, have not been independently reported elsewhere in the material provided.
Women in the military
The network states that women make up approximately 15 percent of personnel in professional militaries, but a higher percentage in some armed groups. This statistic is cited without further context in the available material.
International law and the UN veto
The series addresses the role of international law, noting that the International Court of Justice is currently handling four genocide cases, reflecting a growing reliance on the court for accountability. Al Jazeera further argues that the veto system in the UN Security Council can override the will of other states and has never been neutral, remaining a major obstacle to enforcing international law in armed conflict.
Perspectives
Critical view of the military-tech complex
The primary perspective presented by Al Jazeera is deeply critical of the military-tech complex. The series argues that the merging of Silicon Valley with defence contracting creates an accelerating cycle: higher budgets feed corporate profits, which in turn fuel further militarism. The network frames this as a dangerous escalation with consequences that include instability and genetic harm.
Human cost of conflict
Another perspective foregrounds the human toll of global militarism. The series highlights the record number of displaced people and war deaths, as well as the lesser-known psychological and physiological effects on individuals, including children. This angle underscores the urgency of questioning the systems that perpetuate conflict.
Institutional limits of accountability
The series also suggests that international institutions, such as the ICJ and the UN Security Council, are often inadequate or compromised. By highlighting the four genocide cases and the veto power, Al Jazeera argues that legal and political structures can sometimes hinder rather than help resolution.
Conclusion
'All Hail the Military' presents a comprehensive, if one-sided, critique of global militarism in 2026. Through its five episodes, the series aims to expose the hidden complicities that sustain war, from corporate boardrooms to international courtrooms, and to ask who ultimately benefits from perpetual conflict. As Al Jazeera's Ali Rae puts it, the series is not simply a warning but an investigation into the 'systems, power and hidden complicities' that shape our world.