The Costs of War Project
@costsofwar.bsky.social
The human, budgetary, environmental, and social costs of U.S. wars and military operations, at home and abroad. Housed at Brown University's Watson School of International and Public Affairs at costsofwar.org.
Reposted by The Costs of War Project
DHS was a post-9/11 creation with the mandate to fight "terrorism," and creating and placing ICE in that agency has meant that immigrants are framed as inherently suspicious terrorists-to-be, requiring militarism and force.
January 8, 2026 at 4:51 AM
DHS was a post-9/11 creation with the mandate to fight "terrorism," and creating and placing ICE in that agency has meant that immigrants are framed as inherently suspicious terrorists-to-be, requiring militarism and force.
For example, in the case of Cop City, media often unquestioningly cited officials who conflated activism—exercising the first amendment right to protest—with terrorism, to the detriment of democracy.
Read the research: costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/why-me...
Read the research: costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/why-me...
January 12, 2026 at 4:46 PM
For example, in the case of Cop City, media often unquestioningly cited officials who conflated activism—exercising the first amendment right to protest—with terrorism, to the detriment of democracy.
Read the research: costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/why-me...
Read the research: costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/why-me...
Expanding and vague definitions of terrorism used by the U.S. officials are one cost of the post-9/11 wars. [1/2] www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
January 12, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Expanding and vague definitions of terrorism used by the U.S. officials are one cost of the post-9/11 wars. [1/2] www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
In light of U.S.-backed regime change in Venezuela, Costs of War contributor William Hartung reminds us that the post-9/11 wars were supposed to be "cheap" and "easy" — but they ended up costing $8 trillion and countless lives.
www.star-telegram.com/opinion/us-v...
www.star-telegram.com/opinion/us-v...
Commentary: Foreign policy is not a board game
Given the administration's actions for the past month, from shooting small boats near the shores of ...
www.star-telegram.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM
In light of U.S.-backed regime change in Venezuela, Costs of War contributor William Hartung reminds us that the post-9/11 wars were supposed to be "cheap" and "easy" — but they ended up costing $8 trillion and countless lives.
www.star-telegram.com/opinion/us-v...
www.star-telegram.com/opinion/us-v...
Read the research, "Profits of War: Top Beneficiaries of Pentagon Spending, 2020-2024". costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
January 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Read the research, "Profits of War: Top Beneficiaries of Pentagon Spending, 2020-2024". costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
During the five years from 2020 to 2024, the U.S. government invested over twice as much money in five weapons companies as in diplomacy and international assistance. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
January 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
During the five years from 2020 to 2024, the U.S. government invested over twice as much money in five weapons companies as in diplomacy and international assistance. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
Costs of War co-founder @cathylutz.bsky.social talks to @reedgalen.bsky.social about how popular opinion is against forever wars.
“Popular opinion is one thing, but it’s when that popular opinion gets mobilized that we have any hope of something changing.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9GE...
“Popular opinion is one thing, but it’s when that popular opinion gets mobilized that we have any hope of something changing.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9GE...
The Costs of War with Brown University Professor Catherine Lutz
YouTube video by The Home Front
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Costs of War co-founder @cathylutz.bsky.social talks to @reedgalen.bsky.social about how popular opinion is against forever wars.
“Popular opinion is one thing, but it’s when that popular opinion gets mobilized that we have any hope of something changing.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9GE...
“Popular opinion is one thing, but it’s when that popular opinion gets mobilized that we have any hope of something changing.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9GE...
In Afghanistan alone, U.S. allies committed thousands of troops to fight the so-called "War on Terror". costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/costs-...
January 7, 2026 at 4:07 PM
In Afghanistan alone, U.S. allies committed thousands of troops to fight the so-called "War on Terror". costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/costs-...
As European leaders meet to respond to the Trump administration's threats over Greenland, it's worth remembering the significant costs of the U.S. post-9/11 wars borne by its European allies. [1/2] www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
January 7, 2026 at 4:07 PM
As European leaders meet to respond to the Trump administration's threats over Greenland, it's worth remembering the significant costs of the U.S. post-9/11 wars borne by its European allies. [1/2] www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
High Pentagon spending has boosted inequality and paved the way for authoritarianism, writes Costs of War co-founder @cathylutz.bsky.social and @lutzfernandez.bsky.social. www.commondreams.org/opinion/auth...
Authoritarianism Feeds on a Bloated Military Budget | Common Dreams
Squeezed domestic spending and extravagant military spending have widened inequality, with dire consequences for democracy.
www.commondreams.org
January 6, 2026 at 3:42 PM
High Pentagon spending has boosted inequality and paved the way for authoritarianism, writes Costs of War co-founder @cathylutz.bsky.social and @lutzfernandez.bsky.social. www.commondreams.org/opinion/auth...
U.S. "nation-building" and regime change has consistently left its targets worse off. A snapshot of Afghanistan before and after 20 years of post-9/11 war and occupation: costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/afghan...
January 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
U.S. "nation-building" and regime change has consistently left its targets worse off. A snapshot of Afghanistan before and after 20 years of post-9/11 war and occupation: costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/afghan...
Between 2001-2022, the U.S. spent over $8 trillion on the post-9/11 wars, which were funded largely through debt, obscuring their true financial costs. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/costs/econom...
U.S. Federal Budget
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu
January 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Between 2001-2022, the U.S. spent over $8 trillion on the post-9/11 wars, which were funded largely through debt, obscuring their true financial costs. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/costs/econom...
The post-9/11 wars and their reverberating impacts have killed at least 4.5 million people. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/papers/how-d...
January 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
The post-9/11 wars and their reverberating impacts have killed at least 4.5 million people. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/papers/how-d...
As the U.S. pursues regime change in Venezuela, it's worth remembering that the U.S.-led post-9/11 wars left millions dead and cost U.S. taxpayers trillions, with no strategic benefit to the citizens of the U.S. or any other nation.
www.wsj.com/world/americ...
www.wsj.com/world/americ...
Trump Rolls the Dice on Nation-Building With Vow to ‘Run’ Venezuela
The swift military operation delivered strongman Nicolás Maduro into custody, though his lieutenants said they were still in charge.
www.wsj.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:05 PM
As the U.S. pursues regime change in Venezuela, it's worth remembering that the U.S.-led post-9/11 wars left millions dead and cost U.S. taxpayers trillions, with no strategic benefit to the citizens of the U.S. or any other nation.
www.wsj.com/world/americ...
www.wsj.com/world/americ...
We are devastated by this weekend's senseless violence on the Brown University campus.
As we mourn the deaths of two students, we share the terror and grief of the entire Brown community, the deep concern for those who were injured, and the sorrow for their families and friends.
As we mourn the deaths of two students, we share the terror and grief of the entire Brown community, the deep concern for those who were injured, and the sorrow for their families and friends.
December 15, 2025 at 4:58 PM
We are devastated by this weekend's senseless violence on the Brown University campus.
As we mourn the deaths of two students, we share the terror and grief of the entire Brown community, the deep concern for those who were injured, and the sorrow for their families and friends.
As we mourn the deaths of two students, we share the terror and grief of the entire Brown community, the deep concern for those who were injured, and the sorrow for their families and friends.
Reminder: The Pentagon has never passed an audit. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
December 12, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Reminder: The Pentagon has never passed an audit. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Read the research, "Profits of War: Top Beneficiaries of Pentagon Spending, 2020 – 2024". costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
December 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Read the research, "Profits of War: Top Beneficiaries of Pentagon Spending, 2020 – 2024". costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
In 2024, global military spending had its steepest annual rise since 1992, according to new data from @sipri.org. Reuters reports on the record revenues for the weapons industry, citing our research with @quincyinst.bsky.social. www.reuters.com/graphics/BUS...
Business is booming for defense contractors
New data shows that defense firms are making more money than ever.
www.reuters.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In 2024, global military spending had its steepest annual rise since 1992, according to new data from @sipri.org. Reuters reports on the record revenues for the weapons industry, citing our research with @quincyinst.bsky.social. www.reuters.com/graphics/BUS...
Read the research, "The Employment Impacts of Cuts to Federal Spending: Not All Cuts Are Created Equal," by Heidi Peltier. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/employ...
The Employment Impacts of Cuts to Federal Spending: Not All Cuts Are Created Equal
Economist Heidi Peltier (Senior Researcher, Brown University) documents how the majority of the federal workforce involves military-related sectors, including the military, homeland security, and more...
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu
December 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Read the research, "The Employment Impacts of Cuts to Federal Spending: Not All Cuts Are Created Equal," by Heidi Peltier. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/employ...
In 2024, at least 61% of the discretionary budget went towards military-related spending.
December 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
In 2024, at least 61% of the discretionary budget went towards military-related spending.
Join DismantleTheMic.org on Dec. 11 at 6pm ET for a webinar on stopping the war machine, featuring Julian Aguon, Brittany DeBarros and Costs of War contributor William Hartung.
Register: tinyurl.com/StopWarMachine
Register: tinyurl.com/StopWarMachine
December 9, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Join DismantleTheMic.org on Dec. 11 at 6pm ET for a webinar on stopping the war machine, featuring Julian Aguon, Brittany DeBarros and Costs of War contributor William Hartung.
Register: tinyurl.com/StopWarMachine
Register: tinyurl.com/StopWarMachine
The Trump administration's drone strikes in the Caribbean are "less of an aberration and more of a continuation and intensification of the War on Terror," notes our forthcoming contributor @elizabethrb.bsky.social in @inkstickmedia.com. inkstickmedia.com/the-war-on-t...
The War on Terror Set the Stage for Deadly Caribbean Boat Strikes
The recent deadly strikes on alleged drug-running boats in the Caribbean happened thanks to the war on terror's legacy.
inkstickmedia.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:32 PM
The Trump administration's drone strikes in the Caribbean are "less of an aberration and more of a continuation and intensification of the War on Terror," notes our forthcoming contributor @elizabethrb.bsky.social in @inkstickmedia.com. inkstickmedia.com/the-war-on-t...
Counting indirect deaths, an estimated 4.5 million people have died in the U.S. post-9/11 wars. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/papers/how-d...
December 8, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Counting indirect deaths, an estimated 4.5 million people have died in the U.S. post-9/11 wars. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/papers/how-d...
An estimated 929,000 people died in the post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Nearly 400,000 of them were civilians. [2/3] costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/human-...
December 8, 2025 at 3:59 PM
An estimated 929,000 people died in the post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Nearly 400,000 of them were civilians. [2/3] costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/human-...
The Trump administration is reportedly considering ground operations in Venezuela to fight "terrorism". If Afghanistan and Iraq are any indicator, these actions will likely harm countless civilians. [1/3]
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
Trump says US land action against alleged drug trafficking networks in Venezuela will start ‘very soon’ | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that the United States is preparing to take new action against alleged drug trafficking networks in Venezuela, telling service members during a Thanksgiving c...
www.cnn.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The Trump administration is reportedly considering ground operations in Venezuela to fight "terrorism". If Afghanistan and Iraq are any indicator, these actions will likely harm countless civilians. [1/3]
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...