The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan and Enhanced Base Security Since 9/11

Abstract

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, CRS estimates that the Administration has allocated a total of about $357 billion for military operations, reconstruction, embassy costs, and various foreign aid programs in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for enhanced security at defense bases. This total includes $45 billion in war-related "bridge" funding for the Department of Defense (DoD), based on the House-passed level adopted in a FY2006 continuing resolution (H.J.Res. 68 /P.L.109-77). In addition to this bridge funding, DoD will need additional funds to cover the rest of the year. The total of $357 billion includes some $326 billion for DoD and $31 billion for foreign aid programs and embassy operations. If the bridge funds are split in a fashion similar to FY2005, funding would total about $251 billion for Iraq, about $82 billion for Afghanistan, and $24 billion for base security. Iraq's total is split between $226 billion for DoD and $25 billion for foreign operations. Afghanistan's total includes $76 billion for DoD and $6 billion for foreign operations. All base security funds go to DoD. Based on a CBO estimate that assumes a gradual drawdown in U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan between FY2006 and FY2010, war-related costs could total about $570 billion by the end of 2010. DoD's current monthly average spending rate is about $6 billion for Iraq, $1 billion for Afghanistan, and $170 million for enhanced base security based on the first 9 months of FY2005. Compared to FY2004, those averages are 19% higher for Iraq, 8% lower for Afghanistan, and 47% lower for base security. The DoD has not provided an overall reckoning of these funds by mission or military operation. Gaps in the figures raise questions such as whether DoD transferred $7 billion or $14 billion from peacetime funds to meet higher than expected wartime costs. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) also found that DoD had lost visibility on over $7 billion provided for the global war on terrorism.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 07, 2005
Accession Number
ADA474640

Entities

People

  • Amy Belasco

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan
  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Civilian Personnel
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of State
  • Foreign Aid
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • Iraqi-War
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Procurement
  • Security
  • Terrorists
  • Training

Readers

  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security