Today, Explained The cost of 9/11
Sep 7, 2021
Stephanie Savell, co-director of the Costs of War Project at Brown University, dives deep into the staggering financial and human costs of the U.S. war on terror since 9/11. She highlights that around 929,000 lives have been lost due to military actions and the complexities surrounding casualty reporting. Savell discusses the extensive reach of military operations across 85 countries and calls for accountability in U.S. military expenditures. With costs exceeding $8 trillion, the conversation reveals the long-lasting impacts of these conflicts on both people and the national debt.
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True Cost of War
- The Pentagon estimates the Afghanistan war cost $1 trillion.
- The Costs of War Project says it's $2 trillion, including veteran care and domestic costs.
Post-9/11 War Deaths
- 929,000 people died due to post-9/11 wars, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria.
- This number includes direct deaths from bombs, bullets, and airstrikes.
Minimizing Civilian Casualties
- The Pentagon has a political incentive to minimize civilian casualty counts.
- They often categorize civilian deaths as "militants" or "terrorists."