Afghanistan, Iraq

For almost a decade, the United States has been involved in two major wars, not all the cost of which is expressed in the Defense Budget. The U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been a major drain on the Federal Treasury, but the burden on the American taxpayer has gone far beyond these numbers. Hundreds of billions could be saved every year simply by ending these two wars—but there are other indirect costs that are harder to detect.

Factoring in the dramatic rise in veterans’ benefits and health care costs, for example, we must add another trillion dollars or so to the cumulative cost of these wars. Many reputable economists have agreed that the overall economic impact of these wars—including higher prices for various goods, opportunity costs, and strain on public resources—approaches approximately $3 trillion if not more, including $1.5 trillion that will pass through the federal government alone.

These wars, far from being necessary to keep Americans safe from terrorism, have radicalized and multiplied America’s enemies and have corresponded to a loss of civil liberties at home. Whatever one thought about these missions when they began over eight years ago, it is long past time to bring the troops home and immediately begin saving the approximately $160 billion that is being spent in direct costs every year on these wars.

Learn more about Afghanistan and Iraq problems and solutions:

“Founding Fathers’ Advice to Deficit ‘Super Committee’: Bring US Troops Home”
David J. Theroux (Christian Science Monitor) September 9, 2011

“The Priceless Price of the Post-9/11 Decade”
Anthony Gregory (The Huffington Post) September 9, 2011

“Can Obama Escape from Afghan War?”
Ivan Eland; June 8, 2011

“Assessing the Iraq War”
Ivan Eland; September 1, 2010

“What Price War? Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Costs of Conflict”
Anthony Gregory (Independent Institute Policy Report) May 31, 2011

Partitioning for Peace: An Exit Strategy for Peace
Ivan Eland (Book Summary)

See Also:

The Center on Peace and Liberty