WASHINGTON - Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could cost as much as $2.4 trillion through the next decade, according to a new analysis Wednesday that the White House brushed off as "speculation."

 

The analysis, by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, provides the most comprehensive and far-reaching estimate to date, taking into account costs previously not counted and assuming large number of forces would remain in the regions.

 

According to CBO, the U.S. has spent about $600 billion to date on both wars, including $39 billion in diplomatic operations and foreign aid.

 

If the U.S. cuts the number of troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to 75,000 six years from now, it would cost the U.S. another $1 trillion for military and diplomatic operations and $705 billion in interest payments to pay for the wars through 2017.

 

Democrats say voters won't stand for it, and so they would consider paying for the military campaigns in brief installments, instead of full one-year terms.

 

According to NBC News, CBO Director Peter Orszag met with members of the House Budget committee on Wednesday and told them, "It's clear under analysis that the nation is on an unstable fiscal path ... with the higher debt and interest costs."

 

The White House brushed off the estimate as too conditional.

 

"It's just a ton of speculation," said White House press secretary Dana Perino. "We don't know how much the war is going to cost in the future."

 

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., said voters were suffering from "sticker shock."

 

"America's future is being held hostage by the cost of the war," he said.

 

Orszag said a big factor in the increasing price tag for the wars is a shift in Pentagon spending on worn, damaged or destroyed equipment. A CBO study found that, rather than repairing or replacing damaged tanks and other vehicles, the military is upgrading or getting something new.

 

Orszag used the example of the 120 M-182 tanks that are included in the Pentagon's new funding request.

 

"At the cost of $5 million per tank, this cost is more than returning the damaged tank to its original state," he said. "If you fully fund these requests, the military will be in a better position in terms of equipment than before the war.

 

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I can't even comprehend a figure that big....

Cool, we'll be able to blame the national debt on the terrorists.

Cool, we'll be able to blame the national debt on the terrorists.

:lol

 

Good one.

Are they taking into account things like the Land Warrior and switching over the the XM8 and whatnot?

Let's say they're off by like 75%. It's still, like, woah.

that isnt a war... its an occupation

Whatever it takes to keep us safe.

Whatever it takes to keep us safe.

:blink:

christ that's a lot of money... i can't even wrap my head around a figure like that

I don't think a large ammount of forces are going to remain in the region for the next decase.

 

At least, I hope not.

That's a crazy amount. And i'm sure that if bush could run again people would put him in the white house again. Effin incredible.

I don't think a large ammount of forces are going to remain in the region for the next decase.

 

At least, I hope not.

General Petraeus certainly thinks so. I believe I have heard a few other generals say something to the same effect as well.

Big number.

 

And I doubt Iraq has changed all that much since I left.

Big number.

 

And I doubt Iraq has changed all that much since I left.

When were you there?

I was one of the first in country in March of 03, and was there until February of 04.

I was one of the first in country in March of 03, and was there until February of 04.

Have you ever read a book by Paul Reickhoff? He was in Iraq for just about the same time period. Very interesting read.

Hey, it's only money. :hat

Hey, it's only money. :hat

 

 

This is true. We can always print 2.4 trillion more dollars and just call it even.

Hey, it's only money. :hat

 

 

This is true. We can always print 2.4 trillion more dollars and just call it even.Agreed. Done and done.

Let Canada pick up the tab.

Let Canada pick up the tab.

Best goddamn idea I've ever heard.

Canada has the longest confirmed sniper kill of this conflict(a sniper team from Princess Patricia's Light Infantry Brigade got a kill from some distance in the mountains of Afghanistan in 2004 I believe).

 

Way to be Canucks.

The way things are heading, we can add a large tab to this amount for the inevitable war with Iran.

We can afford it, at least we get to kill people that hate us rather than building a bridge to nowhere or the Washington State Apple museum.

We can afford it, at least we get to kill people that hate us rather than building a bridge to nowhere or the Washington State Apple museum.

Except most of those in Iraq didn't hate us at all, at least not until we occupied their country for 5 years and killed their neighbors.