Reply #36: Afghanistan and Iraq wars cost $1.6trillion

[Up2Late]

Afghanistan and Iraq wars cost $1.6 Trillion

Julian Borger
Wednesday November 14, 2007
The Guardian

The financial toll of America's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was laid bare yesterday when a congressional committee estimated the cost of both conflicts at $1.6 trillion (£771bn) and rising - $20,000 for every family of four in the US.

The assessment, by the joint economic committee, factors in knock-on effects including long-term healthcare for the wounded, interest on money borrowed for the war chest and oil market disruptions.

Democrats, who produced the report, said it demonstrated how George Bush's foreign policy had real consequences for Americans back home. But White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the committee had produced a report that was "an attempt to muddy the waters on what has been some positive developments being reported out of Iraq".

The report coincided with a statement from the military indicating that the surge launched by Bush in January to put a lid on sectarian violence and insurgent attacks is starting to wind down. A 3,000-strong armoured brigade has started withdrawing from Diyala province and will not be replaced, the second large unit to leave Iraq since September.

(more at link) <http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2210396,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=12>