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Costs of War

Iraq War Costs Expected to Challenge WWII

on Sun, 11/06/2011 - 16:11

World War II is widely rememberd as the most expensive war ever fought by the United States. In constant dollars, World War II's portion of our nation's GDP reached 35.8% at its height, and ultimately cost a staggering $4.1 trillion in FY2011 dollars. Many have long thought that, short of a feared WWIII, it would hardly be likely that today's unconventional wars could approach such costs. However, a recent report has found that, when it is all said and done, the war in Iraq will end up costing more, in constant FY2011 dollars, than even WWII.

University of Columbia economist Joseph Stiglitz