thedrifter
07-26-08, 06:48 AM
Published: 07.26.2008
Iraq war's cost nears expense of Vietnam
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS U.S. toll in Iraq
• Deaths: 4,127
• Wounded: 30,435
No casualties identified. Source: Department of Defense
The total cost of the Iraq war is approaching the Vietnam War's expense, a congressional report estimates.
The new report by the Congressional Research Service estimates the U.S. has spent $648 billion on Iraq war operations, putting it in range with the $686 billion, in 2008 dollars, spent on the Vietnam War, the second most expensive war behind World War II. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the U.S. has spent almost $860 billion for military operations.
All estimates, adjusted for inflation, are based only on the costs of military operations, according to the CRS.
Yet the Iraq war has consumed less of the nation's gross domestic product than other pricey conflicts. The Iraq war's costs represented 1 percent of GDP in the peak year of the war. World War II, with a $4.1 trillion price tag in 2008 dollars, was nearly 36 percent of GDP, and the Vietnam War was 2.3 percent of GDP in that wars' peak years.
Accidental electrocutions
Sixteen American troops have died from accidental electrocutions in Iraq, the Defense Department said Friday, more than the military has previously disclosed.
Most of the 11 Army soldiers and five Marines died during their work, including making accidental contact with power lines or those killed while performing maintenance on electrical systems, the Pentagon said. But two died while in their living facilities, including at least one soldier who was electrocuted while he took a shower.
The disclosure came after KBR Inc. Chief Executive William Utt met with Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., on Capitol Hill Friday.
Editor's son killed
The U.S. military said Friday that bullets fired by American soldiers killed the 14-year-old son of the chief editor of a U.S.-sponsored newspaper during a gunbattle this week in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.
The military said Arkan Ali Taha was hit when soldiers came under heavy gunfire from a passing taxi and shot back. The boy was in the cab, and the driver was later taken into custody, the statement said. The father said his son was not involved with extremists and didn't know how to use weapons.
U.S. toll in Iraq
• Deaths: 4,127
• Wounded: 30,435
No casualties identified. Source: Department of Defense
Ellie
Iraq war's cost nears expense of Vietnam
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS U.S. toll in Iraq
• Deaths: 4,127
• Wounded: 30,435
No casualties identified. Source: Department of Defense
The total cost of the Iraq war is approaching the Vietnam War's expense, a congressional report estimates.
The new report by the Congressional Research Service estimates the U.S. has spent $648 billion on Iraq war operations, putting it in range with the $686 billion, in 2008 dollars, spent on the Vietnam War, the second most expensive war behind World War II. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the U.S. has spent almost $860 billion for military operations.
All estimates, adjusted for inflation, are based only on the costs of military operations, according to the CRS.
Yet the Iraq war has consumed less of the nation's gross domestic product than other pricey conflicts. The Iraq war's costs represented 1 percent of GDP in the peak year of the war. World War II, with a $4.1 trillion price tag in 2008 dollars, was nearly 36 percent of GDP, and the Vietnam War was 2.3 percent of GDP in that wars' peak years.
Accidental electrocutions
Sixteen American troops have died from accidental electrocutions in Iraq, the Defense Department said Friday, more than the military has previously disclosed.
Most of the 11 Army soldiers and five Marines died during their work, including making accidental contact with power lines or those killed while performing maintenance on electrical systems, the Pentagon said. But two died while in their living facilities, including at least one soldier who was electrocuted while he took a shower.
The disclosure came after KBR Inc. Chief Executive William Utt met with Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., on Capitol Hill Friday.
Editor's son killed
The U.S. military said Friday that bullets fired by American soldiers killed the 14-year-old son of the chief editor of a U.S.-sponsored newspaper during a gunbattle this week in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.
The military said Arkan Ali Taha was hit when soldiers came under heavy gunfire from a passing taxi and shot back. The boy was in the cab, and the driver was later taken into custody, the statement said. The father said his son was not involved with extremists and didn't know how to use weapons.
U.S. toll in Iraq
• Deaths: 4,127
• Wounded: 30,435
No casualties identified. Source: Department of Defense
Ellie