The Multiple Costs of the "War on Terror"
Last year there was a report that the War on Terror was costing the US about 7 billion per month and we now know that the cost of Iraq alone has gone over 300 billion.
But the REAL cost of the War on Terror has been 62,000 deaths and 4.5 million refugees. There are estimates that the death toll could reach 180,000
the number of troops who have been killed are as follows:
US Troops killed in Afghanistan: 333
Coalition Troops killed : 232
US Troops killed in Iraq: : 2667
What has the US gotten for this price?
- An ABC News poll said 38 percent think the government is doing all it can to prevent another terrorist attack, while 60 percent say it is not.
- The US government is running a $260 billion deficit
- The costs are continuing to skyrocket, as this clock points out
No thanks
4 comments:
The price of this sort of war is incredibly high and requires the efforts of many countries and its people.
However we cannot deny that terrorist organizations once freely planned and trained in the afganistan and were given refuge by the Taliban. You don't have to agree with how things have transpired, however, the principle is clear and undeniable. If we leave immidietly (as Jack Layton is demanding) what would the costs be then? All our efforts would then be in vain if the Taliban were to freely operate again in Afganistan. Whatabout the women, children and homosexuals who no longer have to live in fear of their regime? They would once again be subdued to the whim of the Talibans absolutist and disgusting totalitarian ideology.
Quitting the war would only reverse the progress we have made so far. Before we rebuild we must make the conditions for its possibility.
I have a feeling that if NATO left Afganistan, we would be back within a year to kick the Taliban out Al Qaeda out all over again. Now that would be a tragedy.
If you belive this premise that "if we leave then the Taliban will take it over" then when can we leave?
When every Taliban member is killed?
But our being there increases their recuritment.
What is the exit strategy?
The taliban is too strong right now for the Afghan government to fight. They asked NATO for help. Our troops are providing security by weakening the taliban.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/09/06/1807589-cp.html
The fighting has intensified recently.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2006/09/07/1810570-ap.html
In one region, the taliban forces are surrounded.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/09/09/1818580-cp.html
The USA still has troops in korea and germany. Most of the troops have left, but a few remain. What is your definition of exit strategy? 100% withdrawl? What if Nato bases are set up for long term security? Or do you want out of NATO?
Back to the topic, if you don't think the economic costs are worth the chance to help a budding democracy, then how would you propose we handle the extremists? You already said that you would not have sent our troops to help Afghanistan. What is your philosophy?
"There are estimates that the death toll could reach 180,000"
I'd like to see your source on that one.
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