Afghan war costs now outpace Iraq's

[laststeamtrain]

Source: USA Today

Afghan war costs now outpace Iraq's
By Richard Wolf, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The monthly cost of the war in Afghanistan, driven by troop increases and fighting on difficult terrain, has topped Iraq costs for the first time since 2003 and shows no sign of letting up.

Pentagon spending in February, the most recent month available, was $6.7 billion in Afghanistan compared with $5.5 billion in Iraq. As recently as fiscal year 2008, Iraq was three times as expensive; in 2009, it was twice as costly.

The shift is occurring because the Pentagon is adding troops in Afghanistan and withdrawing them from Iraq. And it's happening as the cumulative cost of the two wars surpasses $1 trillion, including spending for veterans and foreign aid. Those costs could put increased pressure on President Obama and Congress, given the nation's $12.9 trillion debt.

<snip>

Obama made clear Wednesday that the U.S. role in Afghanistan would remain long after troops are withdrawn, a process planned to begin in July 2011. "This is a long-term partnership," he said during a news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/afghanistan/2010-05-12-afghan_N.htm?csp=34

[Soylent Brice]

1. .

[joanmj]

2. I wish.....

we would just get out!!!

[Blue Owl]

3. When this shit is finally over

What will be the "gain" from spending all these billions?

If it affects the average American in any way, shape or form -- I'd like to know how.

What return are we getting by blowing our tax dollars on this fake, illegal war? Why?

[sabra]

4. Afghan War Costs Now Outpace Iraq's

Source: ABC News/USA Today

Spending on Veterans, Foreign Aid Pushes Cumulative Costs of the Two Wars Above $1 Trillion

The monthly cost of the war in Afghanistan, driven by troop increases and fighting on difficult terrain, has topped Iraq costs for the first time since 2003 and shows no sign of letting up.

Pentagon spending in February, the most recent month available, was $6.7 billion in Afghanistan compared with $5.5 billion in Iraq. As recently as fiscal year 2008, Iraq was three times as expensive; in 2009, it was twice as costly.

The shift is occurring because the Pentagon is adding troops in Afghanistan and withdrawing them from Iraq. And it's happening as the cumulative cost of the two wars surpasses $1 trillion, including spending for veterans and foreign aid. Those costs could put increased pressure on President Obama and Congress, given the nation's $12.9 trillion debt.

"The overall costs are a function, in part, of the number of troops," says Linda Bilmes, an expert on wartime spending at Harvard University. "The costs are also a result of the intensity of operations, and the number of different places that we have our troops deployed."

Obama made clear Wednesday that the U.S. role in Afghanistan would remain long after troops are withdrawn, a process planned to begin in July 2011. "This is a long-term partnership," he said during a news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/afghan-war-costs-now-outpace-iraqs/story?id=10635911

[LakeSamish706]

5. And all this money for what? To win a war? How do we win in Afghanistan? n/t

[lib2DaBone]

6. So what are they saying? Roughly $12 Billion a month for both wars?

Can anyone imagine what $12-Billion-A-Month spent at home would look like?

$12 BILLION each and every month.. spent on roads, schools, bridges, health care, clean energy, jobs progams, inner cities, high speed rail and public transportation...

What a county this would be...

[Robb]

8. In 2008, we averaged $12 billion per month in Iraq alone.

I don't see this news as bad, quite the opposite. We're spending almost half as much in Iraq as we did two years ago.

That's good.

[EFerrari]

7. I wonder if there is any country in the world that can hear "longterm partnership"r

from an American president and not shudder.

[saigon68]

9. Disgusting waste

[amborin]

10. knr

[MadHound]

11. Meanwhile, here at home our population is suffering, in need of help,

And our infrastructure is going to hell. Despite the marginally positive job growth rates the past few months, the fact of the matter is that millions and millions are still out of work, with little prospect for a job in sight. Our bridges and roads are deteriorating, our education system is being starved for money, on and on this list goes.

Meanwhile we're throwing hundreds of billions of dollars down a rathole with both of these wars for what? Oil and empire.

Face it folks, we're going to take the Soviet style of self destruction, spending all on our military and to hell with the civilian sector.

So the question becomes, with elections coming up over the next two and a half years, what are you going to do about. Keep voting for the same ol', same ol'? Or try to bring real change back to this country? It's up to you.