The True Cost Of The Afghanistan And Iraq Wars: A Fiscal And Human Toll

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars are the most expensive wars in US history, with the US spending $2.313 trillion on the war in Afghanistan alone. The total cost of both wars is estimated to be somewhere between $4 trillion and $6 trillion, including long-term medical care and disability compensation for service members, veterans and families, military replenishment, and social and economic costs. The US government has financed these wars almost entirely through debt, and the interest on this debt will add an additional $2.1 trillion by 2030 and is forecast to top $6.5 trillion by 2050.

The US has spent $2.313 trillion on the war in Afghanistan

The Costs of War Project estimates that 243,000 people have died as a direct result of the war in Afghanistan. This figure does not include deaths caused by disease, loss of access to food, water, infrastructure, and other indirect consequences of the war.

The war in Afghanistan is part of the larger costs of US post-9/11 wars, which also include conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere. The total estimated cost of these post-9/11 wars is $5.8 trillion, according to researchers at Brown University. This figure includes direct and indirect spending on military equipment, homeland security, and death gratuities for the families of slain American service members.

The cost of the war in Afghanistan alone is estimated to be $2.3 trillion, according to Brown University's Costs of War Project. This amount does not include the cost of the massive airlift conducted by the Biden administration to evacuate 123,000 people from Afghanistan.

The ultimate cost of the US engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq will continue to grow over time, as interest payments and medical care for veterans will add significant expenses. By 2050, the interest alone on the debt incurred from these wars is forecast to exceed $6.5 trillion. Additionally, the US has committed to providing healthcare, disability benefits, burial expenses, and other costs for approximately 4 million Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans, which are projected to amount to more than $2 trillion.

The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have been primarily financed through debt, marking a shift from previous conflicts where taxes and war bonds were the primary sources of funding. As a result, the burden of paying for these wars will fall on future generations of Americans.

The US government spent $2.2 trillion to finance the Iraq War

The Iraq War has cost the US government a staggering $2.2 trillion, according to figures from Brown University's Costs of War Project. This amount reflects only the upfront costs of the war and does not include interest. The war has been financed almost entirely through debt, and the interest accrued will add significantly to the total cost. By 2030, the interest on the debt from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is expected to exceed the upfront costs, reaching $2.1 trillion. By 2050, the interest alone is forecast to surpass $6.5 trillion.

The human and economic costs of the Iraq War are immense. The war resulted in the deaths of at least 134,000 Iraqi civilians and contributed to the deaths of many more due to the devastation it wrought on the country's infrastructure and healthcare system. The war also inflicted severe casualties on US military personnel, with 189,000 soldiers killed and 32,223 injured.

The financial cost of the war includes not only the Pentagon's budget for military operations but also spending by the State Department, the care of veterans, and interest on the debt incurred. The Pentagon received approximately $838 billion in "emergency" and "overseas contingency operation" funding for operations in Iraq through fiscal year 2019. This includes funding for the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. The State Department added about $59 billion to the total costs for democracy promotion, reconstruction, training, and removing unexploded bombs.

The care of Iraq War veterans is a significant expense, with about 4.1 million post-9/11 war veterans receiving medical care, disability compensation, and other benefits. The total spending on these veterans is nearing $199 billion. Additionally, the US government has incurred substantial interest payments on the debt accrued to finance the war. The interest on borrowing to pay for Pentagon and State Department spending in Iraq alone is estimated at $444 billion.

The Iraq War's financial impact extends beyond the direct costs. The large sums borrowed to finance the war will impose substantial long-term debt servicing costs. The war's cost has also contributed to the expansion of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense budgets, as the US has enhanced benefits for military personnel and veterans. These benefits will continue to increase over the next 40 years. Furthermore, additional funds are committed to replacing military equipment and supporting ongoing diplomatic and military efforts in the region.

The true cost of the Iraq War extends far beyond the financial realm. The war has had profound social, political, and economic consequences, both in Iraq and the United States. The war traumatized Iraq, reinvigorated radical Islamist militants, set back women's rights, and further weakened the country's already fragile healthcare system. In the US, the war's cost has been shouldered by future generations, as the reliance on borrowing has shielded Americans from feeling the financial effects during the present.

The US borrowed money to finance the wars, pushing costs to future generations

The US government has borrowed heavily to finance the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the interest on these debts will push the costs of the wars onto future generations.

In the past, the US government has mostly paid for its conflicts through taxes and war bonds. However, in the post-9/11 era, US military spending has been financed almost entirely through debt. Since the September 11 attacks, the US government has spent $2.2 trillion to finance the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to figures from Brown University's Costs of War Project. This amount only reflects upfront costs, and the inclusion of interest on these wars will add an additional $2.1 trillion by 2030. Through 2050, the interest alone is forecast to top $6.5 trillion.

This borrowing has raised the US budget deficit, increased the national debt, and had other macroeconomic effects, such as raising consumer interest rates. Interest must be paid as long as the debt is owed, and this pushes the true cost of the wars out to future generations. Heidi Peltier, director of the "20 Years of War" Project at Boston University's Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, has stated that:

> "What that does is shield the American public from the costs currently. So, Americans don't realize that they're paying for the cost, because their taxes are not increased. And they're not buying more [war] bonds, they're not in any way feeling the [financial] effects currently."

The US government's borrowing to finance the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is an example of how the costs of war can be deferred to future generations. The true cost of these conflicts is not just the financial burden but also the incalculable personal toll on combatants and civilians.

The US has committed to paying $2 trillion in healthcare, disability, and burial costs for veterans

The US government has promised to care for veterans throughout their lives, and the cost of doing so will only increase over time. In fact, the cost of caring for war veterans typically peaks 30 to 40 years after a conflict ends. This means that the costs of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars will continue to burden generations of Americans long into the future.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs offers a variety of benefits to veterans, including free or subsidized medical treatment, lifelong compensation for disabilities, educational benefits, housing benefits, and more. The number of veterans taking advantage of these benefits has been increasing, with more veterans utilizing VA medical services and applying for disability benefits at much higher rates than in previous wars.

The cost of caring for veterans is not limited to financial expenses. Family members of injured veterans often give up their jobs to become unpaid caregivers, and self-employed service members may lose income. These uncompensated costs can have a significant impact on the quality of life for veterans and their families.

To make matters worse, the US government has largely financed the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq through debt rather than taxes. As a result, the interest on this debt will add trillions of dollars to the ultimate cost of the wars. This means that the true cost of the wars will be borne by future generations of Americans.

The US government's commitment to paying $2 trillion in healthcare, disability, and burial costs for veterans is just one part of the massive financial burden resulting from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The true cost of these wars is incalculable, as it includes not only the financial toll but also the personal toll on combatants and civilians.

The US will face constraints in funding new military initiatives

The financial burden of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars has already impacted the US military's ability to fund other areas. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense budgets have seen unprecedented growth due to the expansion of benefits for military personnel and veterans. The large sums borrowed to finance the wars will also result in substantial long-term debt servicing costs. As a result, the US will face constraints in funding investments in personnel, diplomacy, research and development, and new military initiatives.

The US military has also faced budget uncertainty and funding constraints in recent years, which have threatened its readiness and modernization efforts. Budget caps, annual continuing resolutions, and the threat of sequestration have made it difficult for the military to achieve and sustain the readiness levels necessary to meet current mission demands and build the forces needed to address future security threats. Insufficient budget growth has further compounded these issues, with each service branch losing an average of 16.8% in buying power between FY21 and FY24.

The US military's ability to fund new initiatives is further complicated by the need to prioritize funding for critical programs and activities. For example, during the budget cuts that took effect in March 2013, the Pentagon prioritized funding for the Afghanistan war, training for troops, treatment of the wounded, and preservation of family programs. The military also had to delay less pressing maintenance and other activities to offset the impact of the cuts.

In conclusion, the enormous costs of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, coupled with budget uncertainty and funding constraints, will significantly impact the US military's ability to fund new initiatives. The financial burden of these wars will be felt for decades and will limit the resources available for other critical areas. As a result, the US will face constraints in funding new military initiatives and may need to reassess its spending priorities to ensure national security.

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