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....
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/...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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, 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
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-...
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-...
Read the analysis by Eva Maria Rey Pinto, "The Militarization of Toys," — the latest in the Consuming War series. [END] costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/consum...
December 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Read the analysis by Eva Maria Rey Pinto, "The Militarization of Toys," — the latest in the Consuming War series. [END] costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/consum...
For over two centuries, mass-produced toys have spread war-related worldviews.
Mattel created its “Military Barbie” by partnering with the Pentagon in 1989. According to an Army public affairs officer, the doll was intended to inspire girls to become soldiers. [4/7]
Mattel created its “Military Barbie” by partnering with the Pentagon in 1989. According to an Army public affairs officer, the doll was intended to inspire girls to become soldiers. [4/7]
December 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
For over two centuries, mass-produced toys have spread war-related worldviews.
Mattel created its “Military Barbie” by partnering with the Pentagon in 1989. According to an Army public affairs officer, the doll was intended to inspire girls to become soldiers. [4/7]
Mattel created its “Military Barbie” by partnering with the Pentagon in 1989. According to an Army public affairs officer, the doll was intended to inspire girls to become soldiers. [4/7]
After 9/11, war toys surged in popularity. G.I. Joe generated roughly $80 million in sales in 2001, doubling over the prior year. [2/7]
December 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
After 9/11, war toys surged in popularity. G.I. Joe generated roughly $80 million in sales in 2001, doubling over the prior year. [2/7]
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 U.S. conducted counterterrorism operations in 78 countries between 2021 and 2023. In many of these operations, Congress relinquished its constitutionally assigned war powers. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/united...
December 1, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The U.S. conducted counterterrorism operations in 78 countries between 2021 and 2023. In many of these operations, Congress relinquished its constitutionally assigned war powers. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/united...
Read the research, "Deserted: The U.S. Military's Sexual Assault Crisis as a Cost of War" by Jennifer Greenburg. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/desert...
November 28, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Read the research, "Deserted: The U.S. Military's Sexual Assault Crisis as a Cost of War" by Jennifer Greenburg. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/desert...
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.
Read the joint research with @quincyinst.bsky.social by Hartung and @stephensemler.bsky.social. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
November 26, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Read the joint research with @quincyinst.bsky.social by Hartung and @stephensemler.bsky.social. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
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...