The cost of America’s 25-year War on Terror: Closing in on $10 trillion

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(The Center Square) – Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks, the cost to taxpayers for the U.S. War on Terror is approaching $10 trillion. 

Initial costs for two conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan were more than $8 trillion. An additional $2 trillion will be incurred by U.S. military spending after the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israel and conflicts in Yemen and Iran.

Iraq and Afghanistan war costs: $8+ trillion

“From late 2001 through fiscal year 2022, the U.S. appropriated and is obligated to spend an estimated $8 trillion for the post-9/11 wars – an estimated $5.8 trillion in appropriations, plus an additional minimum of $2.2 trillion for obligations to care for the veterans of these wars through the next several decades,” according to an analysis of federal data published by Brown University’s Watson School of International and Public Affairs.

The report breaks down spending by federal agency for the conflicts between 2001 and 2022. It includes more than $2 billion initially spent by the Department of Defense, with another $884 billion in increases. It also includes more than $189 billion spent by the State Department, more than $1.1 billion spent by the Department of Homeland Security and more than $465 billion spent on veteran care. 

During the 21 years analyzed, interest on federal borrowing to fund the wars exceeded $1 billion. 

Afghanistan: $2 trillion

The 20-year Afghanistan conflict cost more than $2 trillion. 

On Oct. 7, 2001, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan with the stated purpose of overthrowing the Taliban and dismantling al-Queda, which took credit for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. After the U.S. fought al-Queda and the Taliban for 20 years, the Biden administration withdrew U.S. troops in August 2001. The administration left $7 billion worth of U.S. military equipment behind and turned control of the country back to the Taliban. 

Iraq and Syria: more than $5 trillion

The U.S. invaded Iraq in the Second Gulf War in March 2003, initially over Iraq allegedly obtaining weapons of mass destruction. The conflict lasted until December 2011.

After imposing sanctions on Syria in 2011 and supporting the overthrow of Syria’s president Bashar Assad in 2013, the Obama administration launched airstrikes in 2014. U.S. troops have been stationed there ever since until they were pulled out in April. 

According to the Brown report, the U.S. spent nearly $3 trillion on both conflicts. A Harvard Kennedy School analysis puts the total higher, noting the Iraq war cost $5 trillion. 

The former Al-Qaeda leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, wanted by U.S. authorities with a $10 million bounty, is now Syria’s leader and was removed from a U.S. terrorist most wanted list by the Trump administration. The president invited him to the White House, praising the man who previously supported suicide bombers in Syria and Iraq who killed U.S. troops.

Cost on veterans: $2.5 trillion

The estimated cost of caring for post 9/11 veterans dealing with physical and mental issues is expected to reach $2.5 trillion by 2050, according to another Brown analysis.  

Cost on interest on debt to fund war: more than $2 trillion

The Brown report refers to the War on Terror as “credit card wars. By 2030, the U.S. will have spent as much on interest payments as it did on ‘overseas contingency operations’ for the wars themselves – over $2 trillion,” it says. It also highlights perpetual spending on military contractors, big tech and weapons companies, noting that “30-40% of spending on contractors is lost to waste, fraud, and abuse.” 

Post Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks: more than $34 billion

Since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack against Israel, War on Terror costs to U.S. taxpayers has skyrocketed. Within two years, the U.S. government has spent nearly $34 billion in the form of military aid to Israel and in military operations in Yemen, according to the Brown analysis. 

Iran costs: $16 billion initial costs in first few days, $2 billion a day

In February, in the first few days of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, the Pentagon said munitions cost $11.3 billion. A Harvard analysis puts the total cost closer to $16 billion with the ongoing conflict costing Americans $2 billion a day. 

A Center for Strategic & International Studies analysis questions Pentagon budget data. It notes that the Office of Management and Budget often disagrees with federal agencies about what to include when reporting total budget costs. It also estimates the cost to replace equipment, infrastructure damage, loss of ammunition and replace plane inventories is nearly $2 billion.

More spending requests: nearly $90 billion

In June, OMB director Russell Vought requested another $87.6 billion from Congress to support the ongoing Iran conflict, including $17 billion for operational costs.

In June, both houses of Congress passed war powers resolutions directing the president to withdraw troops from the Iranian conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintains the War Powers Act is unconstitutional.

Multiple polls conducted in March and in June and July, indicate nearly 60% of Americans polled oppose U.S. military intervention in Iran.