Wars May Cost $2.4 Trillion Over Decade

Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:11 AM EDT

politics, us, iraq, white-house, middle-east, state-condoleezza-rice

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WASHINGTON — Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could cost as much as $2.4 trillion through the next decade, according to a new analysis Wednesday that the White House brushed off as "speculation."

The analysis, by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, provides the most comprehensive and far-reaching estimate to date, taking into account costs previously not counted and assuming large number of forces would remain in the regions.

According to CBO, the U.S. has spent about $600 billion to date on both wars, including $39 billion in diplomatic operations and foreign aid.

If the U.S. cuts the number of troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to 75,000 six years from now, it would cost the U.S. another $1 trillion for military and diplomatic operations and $705 billion in interest payments to pay for the wars through 2017.

Democrats say voters won't stand for it, and so they would consider paying for the military campaigns in brief installments, instead of full one-year terms.

The White House brushed off the estimate as too conditional.

"It's just a ton of speculation," said White House press secretary Dana Perino. "We don't know how much the war is going to cost in the future."

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., said voters were suffering from "sticker shock."

"America's future is being held hostage by the cost of the war," he said.

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Anne Flaherty's Column, All of Newsvine
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Regions: Poland , Russia , United States , Lebanon , Iraq , Afghanistan , Czech Republic , Iran , Washington DC

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{"commentId":1125770,"authorDomain":"ken1014"}

Ken1014

There was a good history on our troubles with Iran on PBS last night. I would appear that the Bush Adm. has forgotten a few things about what happened after 9/11.

For those that missed this fine program you can see it here.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/view/

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#1 - Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:13 AM EDT

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