What have we received for the investment?

From Reuters:

 

The Democratic [former Rep. Lee Hamilton] co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group said on Wednesday that America's ability to resolve the crisis in Iraq is narrowing and the costs could rise to more than $1 trillion.

 

Not an outrageous estimate.  Consider the following cost estimates I've pulled together from a variety of sources:

•        Spent to date:  $350B

•        Future spending on military operations: $235B

•        VA Costs: $48B

•        Costs for Brain Injuries: $25B

•        Veterans disability payments: $80B

•        Demobilization costs:  $7B

•        Increased defense spending:  $122B

–         Increased recruitment costs; hardship pay; etc.

•        Interest on debt: $291B

Total Cost:  $1.16 Trillion

 

That does not even include indirect costs such as lost production potential due to lives lost, etc.  Some estimate those costs (such as the $25-50B we've already lost to higher gas/oil prices) could amount to another trillion dollars.

 

And, we're not more secure from terrorists, we've not established democracy in the Middle East, we have increased problems with Iran and North Korea in terms of WMD, we've damaged our credibility in the world due to our torture policies, etc. 

 

From a pure economic perspective- looking at costs and benefits- and setting aside morality for a time, this has been a terrible investment for our nation.

 

GP