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The
War Profiteers - War Crimes, Kidnappings & Torture |
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The Second Gulf War/Iraq Invasion II -
The Financing of the War |
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“When President Bush’s emergency supplemental
funding request is granted by Congress in the coming weeks, the cost of the
Iraq War will reach ten times its original projected cost of $ 50-60 billion,
CNN reports. At what will soon be a total tab of $ 576 billion, the Iraq war
is second in cost only to World War II. According to CNN’s report, every
minute troops are deployed in Iraq, the American public pays $200,000 to keep
them there. […] Additionally, the current conflict is the first in American
history not to be paid for in real time. […] The Bush administration, however,
is well known for its propensity to cut taxes and increase spending. […] Says
Robert Hormats of Goldman Sachs, author of The Price of Liberty, a new book
examining the history of American military funding. ‘We've in effected
shifted the cost of this war to future generations.’ […]” Excerpt
of an article from “Raw
Story” from November 2nd, 2007. |
The DoD Budget -
past and previsioned |
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August 12th, 2008 - Report: Iraq Contracts Have
Cost Billions 1 news article by
the Associated Press May 23rd, 2008 - 15 Billion Dollars in US
Iraq Spending Unaccounted for: Reports 2 news articles by
Agence France Presse & Washington Post March 21st, 2008 - Democrats Want Contract Fraud
Documents 1 news
article by the Associated Press March 9th, 2008 - Studies: Iraq Costs US $12B
Per Month 1 news
article by the Associated Press November 2nd, 2007 - CNN: Price of Iraq War 10
Times Pre-War Predictions 1 news article by
Raw Story October 30th, 2007 - Democrats Consider More
Money for War 1 news article by
the Associated Press August 12th, 2007 - U.S. Pays Millions In Cost
Overruns For Security in Iraq 1 news
article by the Washington Post August 6th, 2007 - House Approves Pentagon Budget
Minus the President’s War Funding 1 news
article by the Associated Press February 3rd, 2007 - Record $ 622 Billion Budget Requested
for the Pentagon 1 news
article by the New York Times December 15th, 2006 - Pentagon Eyes $ 468.9 bln
Budget for Fiscal 2008 1 news article by
Reuters October 25th, 2006 - Idle Contractors Add
Millions to Iraq Rebuilding 1 news
article by the New York Times May 13th, 2006 - In a Dispute, Army Cancels Rebuilding
Contract in Iraq 1 news
article by the New York Times March 13th, 2006 - U.S. Spending Billions to
‘Defeat’ IEDs in Iraq 1 news article by
the Associated Press |
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November 3rd, 2008 - Defense: FY2009
Authorization and Appropriations Report from the
U.S. Congressional Research Service “[…] The President’s FY2009 federal budget request, released February
4, 2008, included $611.1 billion in new budget authority for national
defense. This total included $515.4 billion in discretionary new budget authority
for the base budget of the Department of Defense (DOD) - i.e., activities not
associated with combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The budget included
an additional $2.9 billion in mandatory spending for the DOD base budget and $22.8
billion for defense costs of the Department of Energy and other agencies. In
addition to the $541.1 billion requested for the base line (i.e., non-war
cost) budget, the request also included an unallocated placeholder of $70
billion to cover war costs in the first part of FY2009. “On April 30 the Senate Armed Services Committee marked up its version
of the FY2009 defense authorization bill (S. 3001), authorizing the
appropriation of $612.5 billion in new budget authority for national security
programs, including $542.5 billion for the base line budget and a $70 billion
allowance for war-related costs. The committee approved without major change
the funding requests for several programs that have been the subject of
controversy, including the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) and the Navy’s
DDG-1000 destroyer. On September 17, the Senate passed the authorization bill
by a vote of 88-8. Because of a controversy over earmarks, the Senate
considered only four amendments to the bill, adopting three. […]” July 16th, 2007 - The Cost of Iraq,
Afghanistan and other Global War on Terror Operations CRS Report for
Congress “[…] With enactment of the FY2007 supplemental on May 25, 2007,
Congress has approved a total of about $610 billion for military operations,
base security, reconstruction, foreign aid, embassy costs, and veterans’
health care for the three operations initiated since the 9/11 attacks:
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Afghanistan and other counter terror
operations; Operation Noble Eagle (ONE), providing enhanced security at
military bases; and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). “The $610 billion total covers all war-related appropriations from
FY2001 through the May 25, 2007 enactment of the FY2007 Supplemental (H.R.
2206/P.L.110-28) including funds in both supplementals and regular
appropriations acts for DOD, State Department/AID, and VA Medical costs. For
FY2007, funds for Iraq and Afghanistan were appropriated in the FY2007
Supplemental, DOD’s FY2007 Appropriations (H.R. 5631/P.L.109-289), and the
Year-Long Continuing Resolution (H.J.Res 20/P.L.110-5). “Of the $610 billion appropriated thus far, CRS estimates that Iraq
will receive about $450 billion (74%), OEF about $127 billion (21%), and
enhanced base security about $28 billion (5%), with about $5 billion that CRS
cannot allocate (1%). Of this total funding, 93% of the funds is for DOD, 7%
for foreign aid programs and embassy operations, and less than 1% for medical
care for veterans. “In February 2007, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that war
costs for the next 10 years might total about $472 billion if troop levels
fell to 30,000 by 2010, or $919 billion if troop levels fell to 75,000 by
about 2013. Under such assumptions and adjusting for the FY2007 Supplemental,
total funding for Iraq, Afghanistan and the GWOT could reach from about $1
trillion to $1.45 trillion by 2017. “For DOD, war appropriations rose steeply in FY2007. DOD received
$165.8 billion for war costs in FY2007 - about 40% more than the previous
year. In FY2007, the State Department will receive about $6.3. billion for
Iraq and Afghanistan for foreign and diplomatic operations, and VA medical
costs for OIF/OEF veterans will be about $1 billion, according to CRS
estimates. “For FY2008, the Administration has requested $141.7 billion for DOD’s
war costs, $4.6 billion for foreign and diplomatic operations, and about $800
million for VA medical costs. If Congress approves these requests, total
funding for Iraq and the Global War on Terror would reach about $758 billion,
including about $567 billion for Iraq, $157 billion for Afghanistan, $29
billion for enhanced security, and $5 billion unallocated. […]” July 13th, 2007 - U.S. Embassy in Iraq CRS Report for
Congress May 2nd, 2007 - FY2007 Supplemental
Appropriations for Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Other Purposes CRS Report for
Congress “[…] On May 1, the Congress formally presented to the President a
House-and-Senate passed version of H.R. 1591, a bill providing supplemental
appropriations for FY2007 and setting target dates for withdrawing most U.S.
military forces from Iraq. That evening, the President vetoed the bill. On
May 2, by a vote of 222-203, with approval of 2/3 required, the House failed
to override the veto. House and Senate leaders are now considering what steps
to take next. House appropriators have discussed a possible 60 day extension
of funds for military operations. Leading Republicans have discussed a
possible compromise that would establish benchmarks for progress by the Iraqi
government. It remains unclear if an agreement that did not restrict funding
in some way would be acceptable to the Democratic majority. […]” January 25th, 2007 - The Federal Government Debt:
Its Size and Economic Significance Report
by the Congressional Research Service “[…] After being in surplus between FY1998 and FY2001, the federal
budget has now registered deficits for the last four fiscal years. The
budget, given current policies, is now projected to remain in deficit through
FY2011. When the budget was in surplus, the policy issues were whether or not
it would be worthwhile to pay off the national debt and whether or not the
existence of public debt provided some economic benefits. For the time being,
those are no longer issues. Instead, the question is what are the risks
associated with a rising federal debt. “At the beginning of 2007, total gross federal debt is over $ 8.6
trillion. While gross federal debt is the broadest measure of the debt, it
may not be the most important one. The debt measure that is relevant in an
economic sense is debt held by the public. This is the measure of debt that
has actually been sold in credit markets, and which has influenced interest
rates and private investment decisions. At the beginning of 2007, the debt
held by the public is just over $ 4.9 trillion. The remaining $ 3.7 trillion
was held by various federal agencies. […]” March 14th, 2006 - The Cost of Iraq,
Afghanistan and other Global War on Terror Operations CRS Report for
Congress “[…] With enactment of FY2007 appropriations,
Congress has approved a total of about $ 510 billion for military operations,
base security, reconstruction, foreign aid, embassy costs, and veterans’
health care for the three operations initiated since the 9/11 attacks:
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) covering Afghanistan and other counter
terror operations, Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) providing enhanced security at
military bases, and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Iraq. “The $ 510 billion total includes the $ 70 billion
in DOD’s regular FY2007 bill intended to bridge the gap between the first
part of the fiscal year and passage of a supplemental as well as war-related
appropriations for other agencies included in the FY2007 Continuing
Resolution (H.J.Res 20/P.L.110-5). “Of the $ 510 billion appropriated thus far, CRS
estimates that Iraq will receive about $ 378 billion (74%), OEF about $ 99
billion (19%), enhanced base security about $ 28 billion (5%) with about $ 5
billion that CRS cannot allocate (1%). Generally, about 90% of these funds
are for DOD, about 7% for foreign aid programs and embassy operations, less
than 1% for medical care for veterans, and 1% unallocated. DOD has not
provided Congress with the cost of each operation for all previously
appropriated funds. “On February 5, 2007, the Defense Department
submitted a $ 94.4 billion FY2007 Supplemental request. If enacted, DOD’s
total emergency funding for FY2007 would be $ 163.4 billion or 40% more than
the previous year and 50% more than OMB estimated last summer. The
Administration also requested about $ 3 billion for Iraq and $ 1 billion for
Afghanistan in emergency foreign and diplomatic operations funds. If the
FY2007 Supplemental request is approved, total war-related funding would
reach about $ 607 billion including about $ 448 billion for Iraq, $ 126
billion for Afghanistan, $ 28 billion for enhanced security and $ 5 billion
unallocated. “For FY2008, DOD requested $ 481.4 billion for its
regular or baseline budget and $ 141.7 billion for war costs. If Congress
approves both the FY2007 and FY2008 war requests, total funding for Iraq and
the Global War on Terror would reach about $ 752 billion, including about $
564 billion for Iraq, $ 155 billion for Afghanistan, $ 28 billion for
enhanced security, and $ 5 billion unallocated. […]” February 6th, 2007 - Testimony on the FY 2008
Defense Budget Request & War Supplemental Request Prepared
statement by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates “[…] The President’s FY 2008 base budget request of
$481.4 billion is an increase of 11.3 percent over the projected enacted
level of FY 2007, and provides the resources needed to man, organize, train,
and equip the Armed Forces of the United States. This budget continues
efforts to reform and transform our military establishment to be more agile,
adaptive, and expeditionary to deal with a range of both conventional and
irregular threats. “Some military leaders have argued that while our
forces can support current operations in the War on Terror, these operations
are increasing risks associated with being called on to undertake a major
conventional conflict elsewhere around the world. This budget provides
additional resources to mitigate those risks. The FY 2008 base budget
includes increases of about $16.8 billion over last year for investments in additional
training, equipment repair and replacement, and intelligence and support. It
provides increases in combat training rotations, sustains air crew training,
and increases ship steaming days. “Increase Ground Forces “Despite significant improvements in the way our
military is organized and operated, the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan have put stress on parts of our nation’s ground forces. Last
month, the President called for an increase in the permanent active end
strength of the Army and Marine Corps of some 92,000 troops by FY 2012. The
base budget request adds $12.1 billion to increase ground forces in the next
fiscal year, which will consist of 7,000 additional Soldiers and 5,000
additional Marines. Special Operations Forces, who have come to play an
essential and unique role in operations against terrorist networks, will also
grow by 5,575 troops between FY 2007 and FY 2008. […]” February 5th, 2007 - FY 2007 Emergency Supplemental
Request for the Global War on Terror Report
by the U.S. Department of Defense December 18th, 2006 - DOD Action Needed to
Address Problems with Management of Contractors Report by the U.S.
Government Accounting Office October 28th, 2006 - Iraqi Security Forces:
Weapons Provided by the U.S. Department of Defense Report by the
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction September 25th, 2006 - Improvised Explosive
Devises in Iraq/Afghanistan: Effects and Countermeasures CRS Report for
U.S. Congress “[…] Since October 2001, Improvised Explosive
Devices (IEDs, or roadside bombs) have been responsible for many of the more
than 2,000 combat deaths in Iraq, and 178 combat deaths in Afghanistan. IEDs
are hidden behind signs and guardrails, under roadside debris, or inside
animal carcasses, and encounters with these bombs are becoming more numerous
and deadly in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The threat includes vehicle-borne
IEDs, in which extremists drive cars laden with explosives directly into a
target. DOD efforts to counter IEDs have proven only marginally effective,
and U.S. forces continue to be exposed to the threat at military checkpoints,
or whenever on patrol. IEDs are increasingly being used in Afghanistan, and
DOD reportedly is concerned that they might eventually be more widely used by
other insurgents and terrorists worldwide. This report will be updated as
events warrant. […] “From 2004 to 2006, approximately $6.1 billion has
reportedly been spent on U.S. efforts to defeat the threat from IEDs.27 In
2006, DOD directed the services to fund several counter-IED initiatives,
including (1) the Global Anti-Terrorism and Operational Readiness Course, (2)
Counter Radio Controlled IED Electronic Warfare, and (3) Robotic Systems. DOD
also reportedly has plans to upgrading Navy P-3 aircraft to assist in the search
for roadside bombs. Funding for this was included in a transfer of $217.8
million from a funding account for defeating IEDs, into the Navy aircraft
procurement budget line. In addition, DOD has proposed spending $617 million
to build new supply roads in Iraq that bypass urban centers where convoys are
exposed to IEDs. […]” September 22nd, 2006 - The Cost of Iraq,
Afghanistan and other Global War on Terror Operations CRS Report for
Congress “Through FY2006, Congress has appropriated a total
of about $437 billion for military operations, base security, reconstruction,
foreign aid, embassy costs, and veterans’ health care for the three
operations initiated since the 9/11 attacks: Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
covering Afghanistan and other Global War on Terror (GWOT) operations,
Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) providing enhanced security at military bases,
and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Iraq. […] “If the FY2007 defense appropriation bill passes,
total war appropriations for all three operations would reach about $507
billion. Another $2 billion is included in other appropriations bills for
foreign and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and VA medical
costs. In its July 2006 mid-session update, the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) estimates that war funding in FY2007 will total $110 billion,
including bridge funding. Based on this OMB projection, cumulative war
funding for all of FY2007 would reach about $549 billion. OMB also assumes a
$50 billion bridge fund for FY2008. […]” September 30th, 2002 - Estimated Cost of
Military Operations in Iraq Letter by the
Congressional Budget Office |
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Background 1)
Past, present and estimated future DOD budget - February 2007 - Source
unknown; |
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