Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Monetary Cost of War
There is an interesting graphic on Barry Ritholz's blog depicting the cost of war for Americans. Americans are paying $547,619/deployed soldier for Afghanistan and Iraq versus $254,658/deployed soldier for World War II. We deployed 16.1 million soldiers for four years during World War II versus 2.1 million soldiers for the current conflicts over 9 years. This is not even counting the people we have lost due to combat and suicide. What is sad is that had we not gone in to Iraq, we would not have squandered the advantage we gained in Afghanistan. As it is, Iran has won Iraq via cultural ties with the Shia majority. Meanwhile, we lose Afghanistan by losing the favor of the average Afghan due to bombing and killing his family and neighbors. Such is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Labels: Ritholz Cost of War
