The Pentagon says it has spent at least $1 trillion prosecuting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and defending the U.S. homeland, according to newly released Defense Department figures through April 30/.../
“This figure represents how much we have actually spent on the wars up to this point,” said Todd Harrison, a defense budget expert with the non-partisan Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington. “What it doesn’t tell you is how much money has been appropriated by Congress, which is $1.2 trillion. The difference between these two figures is how much money is already in the pipeline waiting to be spent.”
The Pentagon through April 30 said it has spent $691.4 billion on Iraq and $288.5 billion on Afghanistan operations. Operation Noble Eagle, aerial patrols over the continental U.S., have cost an additional $26.9 billion.
“We will likely spend another $300 billion to $500 billion on top of what is already in the pipeline,” Harrison said. “The exact amount depends on the pace at which we pull out of Afghanistan and whether or not we keep any troops in Iraq after the December 31st” withdrawal deadline, he said.
Still, “passing the trillion dollar mark stands out to people,” Harrison said.
“It draws a natural comparison to the other big budget numbers we keep hearing: a $1.6 trillion deficit this year, a proposal to raise the debt limit by $2 trillion. The cost of the wars is a hot topic given the pressure on the president to bring down troops in Afghanistan more quickly,” Harrison said.