economic costs and human lives, 20 years later

The ending US combat mission in Afghanistan after 20 years was longest war from the country. The Asian country is back on the international radar as in recent days the Taliban rebels have shown their strength with a fierce offensive in which they have taken control of much of the country.

Until a few weeks ago, American civilians tended to forget about the war that bled the country for years and were much less watched by the United States Congress than the War of Vietnam. But on the left tens of thousands of dead.

And because Washington has borrowed almost all of the funds to finance it, generations of Americans will be burdened with paying down the debt.

Here’s a look at the numbers for the war in Afghanistan, as Taliban rebels, in a lightning-fast offensive, have captured much of the country and plan to continue their advance before August 31, when the United States has set itself. to end their participation in the fight and accelerate the expulsions of Americans and Afghan allies.

Most of the data was provided by Linda Bilmes of the Kennedy School of Political Science at Harvard University and the Brown University Costs of War project.

Since between 2003 and 2011, the United States fought simultaneously in Afghanistan and Iraq, some figures cover the two wars after the attacks of September 11, 2001 in New York and Washington.

Human costs

Members of US forces who died in Afghanistan in April: 2,448.

American entrepreneurs: 3,846.

Afghan soldiers and police: 66,000.

Other Allied Forces, including NATO and other member states: 1,145.

Afghan civilians: 47,245.

Taliban and other opposition fighters: 51,191.

Humanitarian workers: 444.

Journalists: 72.

Congress and the war in Afghanistan

Since September 18, 2001, when Congress authorized US forces to prosecute those responsible for the September 11 attack, US lawmakers have never voted to declare war on Afghanistan.

Number of times lawmakers on the Defense Budget Subcommittee have addressed the costs of the Vietnam War during the conflict: 42.

Number of times lawmakers on the same subcommittee mentioned the costs of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq up to mid-summer 2021: 5.

Number of times the Senate Finance Committee discussed the costs of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq from September 11, 2001 to mid-summer 2021: 1.

War expenses

In the past, governments of the United States have decided Raise the taxes face the cost of the wars they waged in other countries.

Percent that President Harry Truman has temporarily increased tax rates to pay the Korean War: 92%.

Percent that President Lyndon Johnson temporarily increased tax rates to pay the Vietnam War: 77%.

Percentage that President George W. Bush reduced tax rates for the richest, instead of increasing them, at the start of the wars in Afghanistan and Iran: At least 8%.

Estimated cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that the United States funded with ready until 2020: $ 2,000 billion.

Estimated interest for 2050: Above $ 6.5 trillion.

Source: AP

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