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.
As the U.S. considers military action against Iran, it's worth noting the human costs of the post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere: Including indirect deaths, an estimated 4.5 million people have been killed. [1/2]
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/papers/how-d....
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/papers/how-d....
January 12, 2026 at 7:21 PM
As the U.S. considers military action against Iran, it's worth noting the human costs of the post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere: Including indirect deaths, an estimated 4.5 million people have been killed. [1/2]
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/papers/how-d....
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/papers/how-d....
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Costs of War co-founder @cathylutz.bsky.social on why now is the time to question the "military normal": substack.com/home/post/p-...
December 4, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Costs of War co-founder @cathylutz.bsky.social on why now is the time to question the "military normal": substack.com/home/post/p-...
Records show that Raytheon was allowed to claim about half a million dollars in tax refunds for jobs it did not create, reports @inkstickmedia.com and Carolina Public Press. inkstick.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Exclusive: We Followed the Money to Raytheon in North Carolina
We got hundreds of pages of public records about a controversial deal to offer tens of millions of state and local subsidies to a new Raytheon/Pratt & Whitney plant in Asheville.
inkstick.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Records show that Raytheon was allowed to claim about half a million dollars in tax refunds for jobs it did not create, reports @inkstickmedia.com and Carolina Public Press. inkstick.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
The connections between play, patriotism and war run deep. Our latest cultural analysis looks at the militarization of toys. [THREAD]
December 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The connections between play, patriotism and war run deep. Our latest cultural analysis looks at the militarization of toys. [THREAD]
The Trump administration halted special immigrant visas from Afghanistan after a former member of one of Afghanistan's CIA-backed units was accused of shooting two U.S. National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. [1/2] www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
US State Department stops processing visas for Afghan allies
The order effectively suspends the special immigration program for Afghans who helped the United States during its 20-year-long occupation of their home country.
www.reuters.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The Trump administration halted special immigrant visas from Afghanistan after a former member of one of Afghanistan's CIA-backed units was accused of shooting two U.S. National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. [1/2] www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
The Trump administration halted special immigrant visas from Afghanistan after a former member of one of Afghanistan's CIA-backed units was accused of shooting two U.S. National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. [1/2] www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
US State Department stops processing visas for Afghan allies
The order effectively suspends the special immigration program for Afghans who helped the United States during its 20-year-long occupation of their home country.
www.reuters.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The Trump administration halted special immigrant visas from Afghanistan after a former member of one of Afghanistan's CIA-backed units was accused of shooting two U.S. National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. [1/2] www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
The so-called "War on Terror" looks poised to continue in Venezuela without congressional authorization.
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
White House gives Maduro ultimatum as U.S. moves toward land operations
The call quickly reached an impasse as it became clear that the two sides’ positions were far apart.
www.miamiherald.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The so-called "War on Terror" looks poised to continue in Venezuela without congressional authorization.
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
On average, over the course of the war in Afghanistan, 24 percent of active-duty women and 1.9 percent of active-duty men experienced sexual assault.
Sexual assault prevalence in the military is likely two to four times higher than official government estimations.
Sexual assault prevalence in the military is likely two to four times higher than official government estimations.
November 28, 2025 at 4:44 PM
On average, over the course of the war in Afghanistan, 24 percent of active-duty women and 1.9 percent of active-duty men experienced sexual assault.
Sexual assault prevalence in the military is likely two to four times higher than official government estimations.
Sexual assault prevalence in the military is likely two to four times higher than official government estimations.
A new book by Costs of War contributor William Hartung and Ben Freeman looks at how we got to a trillion dollar military budget — more than half of which goes to military contractors. www.commondreams.org/opinion/tril...
'Trillion Dollar War Machine': Understanding US Militarism and How to Dismantle It | Common Dreams
William D. Hartung and Ben Freeman's extremely timely and necessary book explains how today's crises are the predictable consequence of an entrenched system of militarism, a politics captured by lobb...
www.commondreams.org
November 26, 2025 at 3:52 PM
A new book by Costs of War contributor William Hartung and Ben Freeman looks at how we got to a trillion dollar military budget — more than half of which goes to military contractors. www.commondreams.org/opinion/tril...
In a first, Ukraine plans to seek nearly $44 billion in damages from Russia for emissions caused by the ongoing war. time.com/7335449/ukra...
November 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
In a first, Ukraine plans to seek nearly $44 billion in damages from Russia for emissions caused by the ongoing war. time.com/7335449/ukra...