The U.S. wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Pakistan have cost American taxpayers $5.9 trillion since they began in 2001.
The figure reflects the cost across the U.S. federal government since the price of war is not borne by the Defense Department alone.
The report also finds that more than 480,000 people have died from the wars and more than 244,000 civilians have been killed as a result of fighting. Additionally, another 10 million people have been displaced due to violence.
U.S. Marines and Georgian Army soldiers run to the extraction point during Operation Northern Lion II in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 3, 2013.
U.S. Marine Corps photo
WASHINGTON — The U.S. wars and military action in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Pakistan have cost American taxpayers $5.9 trillion since they began in 2001, according to a new study.
That total is almost $2 trillion more than all federal government spending during the recently completed 2017-18 fiscal year.
The report, from Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs at Brown University, also finds that more than 480,000 people have died as a direct result of fighting. Over 244,000 civilians have been killed. Another 10 million people have been displaced due to violence.
The $5.9 trillion figure reflects the cost across the U.S. federal government since the price of war is not borne by the Defense Department alone, according to Neta Crawford, the study’s author.
In addition to the money spent by the Pentagon, Crawford says the report captures the “war-related spending by the Department of State, past and obligated spending for war veterans’ care, interest on the debt incurred to pay for the wars, and the prevention of and response to terrorism by the Department of Homeland Security.”
It breaks down like this, according to Crawford and the report:
Total U.S. war-related spending through fiscal year 2019 is $4.9 trillion.
The other $1 trillion reflects estimates for the cost of health care for post-9/11 veterans.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will be responsible for serving more than 4.3 million veterans by 2039.
What’s more, longer wars will also increase the number of service members who will ultimately claim veterans benefits and disability payments.
The U.S. government spent $4.1 trillion during fiscal year 2018, which ended Sept. 30, according to the Treasury Department.
The Defense Department accounted for 14.7 percent of that, and the Department of Veterans Affairs accounted for 4.4 percent.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the cost has been $5.9 trillion, according to the study.
The Institute of Turkish Studies (ITS), a non-profit organization, was founded in 1983 with $3 million donated by the Government of Turkey in Washington, D.C. ITS issued a press release on May 31, 2019 announcing that it will cease its operations on September 30, 2020.
This was a surprising announcement for two reasons:
1) The sum of $3 million is a relatively small amount for the Turkish government having spent tens of millions of dollars to hire public relations and lobbying firms in the United States for many years. Returning the $3 million or whatever is left of it to Turkey will not make a major difference in the country’s financial condition. Turkey needs several hundred billion dollars to recover from its economic collapse.
2) Despite the boastful press release by the Institute’s leadership about its accomplishments, the withdrawal of the funds by the Turkish government implies that the Institute had failed to meet its propaganda goals. The Turkish government stopped funding ITS in 2015. To make matters worse, the Institute’s leaders acknowledge in their press release that they have not been successful in raising sufficient funds from outside sources to continue the Institute’s operations. In recent years, the ITS received partial financial support from Georgetown University, Koç Holding, FIBA Holding, and Mr. and Mrs. Muhtar Kent (former Board chairman of The Coca-Cola Company), and other individual donors.
The ITS press release claims that its grants since 1983 have promoted Turkey and Turkish studies “in 45 US states plus the District of Columbia. Over 130 dissertation writing grants translated into 70-plus professorial positions at American institutions of higher education, and language and research awards helped prepare at least 235 others who took up teaching and research positions in the United States and elsewhere. Awards to several dozen developing scholars over the last five years will pay further dividends in the future. Nearly 80 US institutions established library/research collections relating to Turkey, or added significantly to existing resources, thanks to ITS funding, and 19 American universities received seed money to support the establishment of new, Turkey-related teaching positions.”
In recent years, the ITS was located at the offices of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service on the campus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The Honorary Chairman of the Institute was the Turkish Ambassador in the U.S., confirming the close supervision of ITS grants by the Turkish government.
The Institute of Turkish Studies has been embroiled in a number of scandals, starting with Heath Lowry who was the founder and executive director of the Institute from 1983 to 1993. Lowry was instrumental in preparing and publishing full-page ads in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Washington Times on May 19, 1985, signed by 69 ‘scholars’ who denied the occurrence of the Armenian Genocide. Lowry subsequently became the Ataturk Professor of Ottoman & Modern Turkish Studies at Princeton University, funded by a $750,000 Turkish government grant.
I was the first target of a legal confrontation with the Turkish Institute, after I wrote an editorial in 1985 in The California Courier listing the names of the U.S. scholars and the amount of money they had each received from the Turkish Institute. Interestingly, many of these scholars were the same ones who were given grants by the Turkish Institute. I received a letter from the attorneys of ITS stating that they will sue me for libel unless I published a lengthy retraction which I refused to do. My attorneys informed the Turkish Institute lawyers that their allegation of libel had no merit and informed them that we will file a counter lawsuit. In response, the ITS dropped its threatened lawsuit!
Then in 1995, an article titled “Professional Ethics and the Denial of Armenian Genocide,” was published in Holocaust and Genocide Studies exposing a letter sent to Prof. Robert Jay Lifton, drafted by ITS Executive Director Heath Lowry in 1990 on behalf of the Turkish Ambassador Nuzhet Kandemir, denying the facts of the Armenian Genocide. Lowry’s draft letter in the name Ambassador was inadvertently sent to Prof. Lifton, causing a major academic scandal.
In 2006, American professor Donald Quataert resigned from the chairmanship of ITS Board after refusing to obey the Turkish Ambassador’s orders that Turkey would revoke the ITS funding unless Prof. Quataert retracted a scholarly book review in which he had written “what happened to the Armenians readily satisfies the U.N. definition of genocide.” Several other ITS Board members resigned shortly in protest.
With the announced closing of the Institute of Turkish Studies, there will be one less outlet for Turkish propaganda in the United States distorting the tragic truths of the Armenian Genocide.
As you’ve probably noticed, we love reporting posting about Trump’s adventures on this site. Currently he’s visiting UK, so here are the funniest protest signs made by some brilliant UK citizens…
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If you enjoyed this gallery, you will probably also like Trump With an Extremely Long Tie, Trump Toilet Paper, and Frog-Chinned Trump.
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Anonymous June 3, 2019Love these. Gonna save this as inspiration for 2020 signs!
Frann June 3, 2019This made my morning so much brighter,Thanks!
cecile June 3, 2019ha ha ha….
Dense Pence June 3, 2019He’s a “Looney Tune” that ISN’T funny!
MC/DC June 3, 2019Just Brilliant!
Mike P. June 3, 2019Shoot him and I’ll be president!
Roger Collins June 3, 2019Brilliant- our sense of humour is one of the last good things in the UK?
Anonymous June 3, 2019This made my morning
Jeanne June 3, 2019Well done, you Brits!!
Anonymous June 3, 2019Useful idiots gonna useful idiot…
DP June 3, 2019Love it UK 🇬🇧. Thanks for the laugh, we need it here in the US 🇺🇸. It’s embarrassing to admit I’m from here these dark days. 😪
Patti June 3, 2019Thanks for all the giggles, UK! These are wonderfully amusing. I needed a laugh today.
Antoinette June 3, 2019Love your signs and your enthusiasm. We hate him in the United States as much as you do. Your cousin across the pond,
maura June 3, 2019These are just great! Speaking as a U.S. citizen!
Anonymous June 3, 2019From this Californian….THANK YOU!These are absolutely golden!
Anonymous June 3, 2019These are great! Gave me smiles and giggles and we’ve had few of those since Trump was elected.
Jenny June 3, 2019LOVE IT!!! And I’m glad that the comments I’ve read here aren’t from any trumper humpers. I pray and pray that there are enough of us that will stop a revolution if it happens. These people really do scare me even more than rump because they give him the power, lie for him by passing around HIS fake news, feed his ego and ones that I’ve talked to (which I avoid at all costs) are downright hostile He really is doing almost exactly what adolph hitler did in Germany,
Harvey June 3, 2019Most of the people here in the U.S. can’t believe he hasn’t been impeached ! I can’t gut him , he makes me sick to my stomach !
Sher Holtz June 3, 2019WE LOVE THE BRITS. WE HATE THE SOB TOO BUT IT’S NICE TO KNOW WE HAVE COMPANY!! THANKS GUYS!
Cherilyn June 3, 2019Sooooo awesome! So glad someone can do this! Please continue!
Patriot June 3, 2019Ignorant brainwashed leftys.. Traitorus propaganda media… If you understand anything about politics and the world stage then you would not be slandering this man you would be showering him with respect and thankfulness.
Tootie June 3, 2019I almost spewed my coffee across the room when a friend shared and I saw the cover photo. Thank you Brit’s, you didn’t let us down AND your cleverness will appear on our signs on this side of the pond. Come visit Montana and will show you around
Anonymous June 3, 2019These are great. And they made my day. I wish we could do this. I’d be first in line.
Rose M. June 3, 2019This made my day also. The right is crying. 😁
Glenn June 3, 2019No Respect for the US president. These people would be speaking German if it weren’t for the US
rseimone June 3, 2019Bless the Brits, we can always count on them! This made my morning 100% better!
Anonymous June 3, 2019Love all the signs. I don’t understand why the Queen even invited him- lost respect for her! Sad
Anonymous June 3, 2019No Glenn, in case you didn’t know, the Brits held their own in WW2 and the Canadians{ also the UK} helped defeat the enemy. Heck, even the Russians did their share.Typically American to think anybody owes you anything.
Anonymous June 3, 2019Glenn – many Brits are very grateful to the US for their part (along with many others, and slow as it was in coming) in WWII. Remind again how Trump contributed to that? Or anything about his honorable military service…?
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Janet June 3, 2019
Love the signs Hate TRUMP too
Anonymous June 3, 2019
Thank you Brits for making my day!! So hilarious and enlightening. Most of my friends can’t stand him either! 😀
Anonymous June 3, 2019
The signs were AWESOME!! The UK rocks!!! Btw, if the orange infant gets re-elected (God forbid) can I come back (2 lines were English who came to the US way back)? PLEASE???????????
iamcart June 3, 2019
FANTASTIC! Thanks England!
Pam June 3, 2019
Wow! I was hoping my blood was not that stupid. Thankful my branch of the family left your island, worked hard and created a country that would elect President Trump. And you have Khan. LMAO!
Anonymous June 3, 2019
Let him have it! Thank you UK from your friends in San Francisco!
Dorcas Smith June 3, 2019
Love these signs! Go Brits!
Faith June 3, 2019
Thanks so much made my day… We promise to get rid of him, trying hard. Maybe since he doesn’t read he can sell the first edition and buy gum in jail. jus sayin….
Tony June 3, 2019
And of course our illustrious British prime minister (not) and her boy’s club are so much better than Trump? More honest, caring when it comes to the electorate, really listen to the people, fulfil their promises and give the people what they vote for!!! I don’t think so! I’ll take a leader with guts over the yellow bellied lot here any day.
Just to compare. I am compiling a piece where would like to show if Azerbaijan is really dangerous for people of Armenian origin to come and enjoy a trip to this most tolerant country of the world.
Why am I touching upon this issue must be clear. Just the world is discussing – arguing around a footballer of Armenian decent – Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who plays for London`s Arsenal. Arsenal is due to come to Azerbaijan – Baku, to play Europa League Final 2019 against another English team – Chelsea.
While these two teams were defined to beat for the Final, the speculations arose why the UEFA takes these English players to so far distance of 4 thousands km? Teams and their supporters believe that they could play the game in London and it would be good for Arsenal and Chelsea fans. But UEFA explained that while two years ago the decision was made, no one knew that both finalists will be English ones.
So if the decision was made some two years ago and no one knew which teams will be at the Final, speculations in regard to host city are baseless. One can say one of the teams could be from Azerbaijan as well…
Now let`s go back to Henrikh Mkhitaryan`s issue. He claims that it is unsafe for an Armenian to come to Baku, Azerbaijan. He fears for his safety and took the decision not to come to play for Arsenal. As was stated by the Arsenal and Mkhitaryan himself the decision was taken together and is personal choose of the player. We respect this decision and would count on understanding of supporters of Arsenal and Mkhitaryan. But unfortunately we see that some people and some circles have staged very wide campaign, claiming that Azerbaijan is not allowing an Armenian player to come. Because he is just Armenian…
Is that true? Not of course. The government of Azerbaijan and AFFA – Azerbaijan Football Federations Association officially stated that Mkhitaryan`s safety will be assured in very high level. Plus, official written letter was submitted to UEFA and Arsenal assuring the issue. But still a lot of people, most of whom are Armenians, are continuing an ugly campaign to accuse Azerbaijan even for being “racist”.
We feel a need to answer these stupid – baseless claims and attacks on Azerbaijan. Because while one side continuously lies and spreads ugly propaganda the world becomes a tool on the hands of that side. Our obligation is to enlighten people and tell the truth.
Is Azerbaijan really dangerous for the people of Armenian decent? Not at all. Instead of Armenia`s occupation of about 20% of Azerbaijani lands, the people of Azerbaijan and the government as well do not hate Armenians. That`s why some 30 thousands Armenians still live in Baku, Ganja and other cities of Azerbaijan side by side with other Azerbaijanis. I mean they are equal citizens of Azerbaijan like other ethnic and national minorities and enjoy the same rights as anyone else.
One more point in regard to Armenians` safety in Azerbaijan. Still alive is a great sporty show while Azerbaijan hosted The 1st European Games in 2015. Some Armenian sportsmen also were among competitors and even one of them had won the 2nd place. In a video below we are showing what happened to that Armenian sportsman in the Baku Olympic Stadium.
One can see, that while the name of Armenian sportsman is announced the people are booing him, the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev raises his hands and the people calm down, applauds the sportsman. That must be enough for those who is staging an ugly campaign against Azerbaijan with groundless anti-Armenian claims.
Or we have one more, very recent video footage depicting two young Armenians who right now are in Baku. They are sister and brother. Gymnastics sportsmen. Duhik and Garsevan Janazyan are competing at the European Championship of Sports Aerobics in Baku. Two days ago they arrived to Azerbaijan and were interviewed by local journalists. We are adding a short video footage where they express happiness for being in Azerbaijan adding that sports are different from politics.
Now if Mkhitaryan and his campaigner-supporters still are accusing Azerbaijan for being hostile to any Armenian on the world, that must be their problem, not Azerbaijan`s. We are tolerant, multicultural nation. We are not hostile towards any nation, including Armenians of the world. We have a problem with only Armenia which is still keeping under occupation Azerbaijani lands expelling around 1 million (some 250 thousands from Armenia and 750 thousands from occupied Azerbaijani lands) people from their homes.
And at the end I`d like to stress out that the case of Mkhitaryan once more shows the ugly face of Armenian nationalism which uses any opportunity to blackmail Turks, including Azerbaijani ones. But we, as a nation dedicated to multiculturalism and tolerance, will pass through this stage and once more will approve that we are a nation of sport and we understand the distance between sport and politics.
P.S. It is time for Arsenal to dismiss Henrikh Mkhitaryan at all as he caused so much noise just making such a sport game dirty for his nationalist claims…
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is about to take off in less than two weeks.
The Forum will host more than 120 events, including two plenary sessions, panel sessions, round tables, business breakfasts and TV debates, the Roskongress Foundation, the organizing committee of the forum, reports.
“According to the official website of SPIEF – 2019 there is a business program with speakers and moderators of discussions. The forum will take place on June 6–8, 2019. The main theme is “Forming grounds for sustainable development,” the message says. The program consists of four thematic blocks: “The World Economy in Search of Balance”, “The Russian Economy: Realizing the Goals of National Development”, “Technologies Approaching the Future”, “People are the top priority”.
“The business program of SPIEF-2019 is attended by representatives of the government, public organizations, and leaders of the business community. This year we will talk a lot about economic development and strengthening multilateral mutually beneficial cooperation between countries, including the role of Russia in the international arena, ”said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organizing Committee.
Recently, on the day of 26th February, 2019 US Congress` Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) raised an issue of Khojaly Massacre, perpetrated by Armenian occupant army regiments together with Russian Army`s 366th motorized unit 27 years ago. As the recent history witnesses, during this occupation and massacre operation 613 men, women, children and other innocent people of Azerbaijani nationality were brutally killed by occupant army units.
27 years has passed since Khojaly Massacre and the people of Azerbaijan always ask international community for justice and help to bring to the responsibility desk those who ordered and who implemented this act of genocide. But unfortunately many organizations and forceful actors – world leaders were not even fair towards this act of genocide.
As Azerbaijan is new democracy and looking towards new practices and challenges through the leading democracies, the people of country always are attentive to the world leader country – the United States. Even this country usually is behind democratization and bringing new values throughout the world, sometimes some voices from Washington are not fairly approaching events like Khojaly Massacre of 26th February 1992. That’s why while Hon. Alcee L. Hastings acted with statement in the House of Representatives calling “to recognize the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre” we, the people of Azerbaijan were happy to hear this. That was fair approach and an act of justice initiative.
Rising the issue, Mr. Hastings once more approved his country`s role as a major actor on the globe to bring peace and justice to humanity. We always wish to see the US like this. We believe in the mighty of the United States and we believe that this country having all opportunities can be fair mediator to solve any kind of conflicts even thousands of miles away.
While Mr. Hastings acted with the statement towards Khojaly Massacre, our belief that the perpetrators will be brought to justice were renowned again. Indeed, we want and wish to rely on US`s justice and fair approach.
We, the people of Azerbaijan and likewise countries are always alongside with those forces which are powerful and fair. And which really is in line with international rules to defend those who face injustice. In this regard Mr. Hastings` act in the House is a sign of will, which can rehabilitate belief of people of Azerbaijan. Because we were losing our belief as the US actors sometimes were ignorant towards Azerbaijani peoples` pains.
Using this opportunity we would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Hastings and call to other US Congress members to act likewise in order to help with justice to prevail. The US were and remain Azerbaijan`s ally on the globe. And Azerbaijan is the country which is trusty to its principles in combating any kind of unfair approach towards humanity. In this struggle Azerbaijan was and remain as a main ally of the United States in the region of South Caucasus and alongside geography.
In order to solve the problem of occupation of lands by neighboring Armenia Azerbaijani people look towards US`s fair approach to act more quickly and more effective. As some 1 million people of Azerbaijan are still suffering the pains of war and occupation by Armenia we look towards fair voices throughout the world. Mr. Hastings is one of the rising fair voices in this regard which surely will rehabilitate belief on the US.
Yes, Azerbaijan was very quick to respond to the US calls “in the days after September 11, 2001” to overcome the world terrorism. And Azerbaijan remains as a trusty ally in this regard. But waiting the same approach from the US side in combating occupation and inhuman approach by the aggressive neighbor – Armenia as well. In this regard Mr. Hastings voice in the US Congress was due for the hope of Azerbaijani people. And people of Azerbaijan have the right to wait more and effective efforts from the US to end with injustice in our region and bring a piece to the region of South Caucasus.
P.S. While compiling very this piece of mine I just saw an initiative by the Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. on “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting visits and communication between the United States and the Republic of Artsakh at all levels of civil society and government”. One can be shocked while seeing this, as the US does not recognize any country under the name of “Artsakh” (Nagorno Karabakh). But political actors like Pallone always were obstacle while the US tries to act in a fair manner. Anyway we believe on US fair approach as there are politicians like Mr. Hastings who really want to contribute to peace building in our region.
