BIPSS Research Associate Mohosina Mostofa Mity explores in this commentary how the global surge in defence spending is placing growing financial pressure on smaller economies. The commentary examines the difficult trade-offs between strengthening national security and sustaining investments in development, while arguing that long-term resilience depends on smart strategic choices rather than simply larger military budgets. It highlights why balancing defence, economic stability, and human development will be one of the defining policy challenges of the coming decade.