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Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan Have Cost US Almost $5 Trillion
Almost 7,000 U.S. troops have been killed since the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq began, and about 210,000 civilians in those two countries and Pakistan have lost their lives as a result of the fighting, according to Brown University’s Watson Institute. In addition, nearly 7,000 contractors working for the U.S. and its allies have died. In all, roughly 370,000 people have died as a direct result of the fighting.
The number of dead does not include the maimed, the wounded and the soldiers suffering from the psychological aftermath with post-traumatic stress disorder.
In a new update on the devastating economic cost, the Watson Institute’s Costs of War Project says the U.S. has spent or is on the hook for $4.8 trillion and could wind up paying out almost $8 trillion when the final accounting is done.
The $4.8 trillion includes “direct congressional war appropriations; war-related increases to the Pentagon base budget; veterans care and disability; increases in the homeland security budget; interest payments on direct war borrowing; foreign assistance spending; and estimated future obligations for veterans’ care.
“This total omits many other expenses, such as the macroeconomic costs to the US economy; the opportunity costs of not investing war dollars in alternative sectors; future interest on war borrowing; and local government and private war costs,” the institute says.
Because the wars have been funded “almost entirely by borrowing,” the institute says, America’s budget deficit and national debt have increased, which in turn pushes up consumer interest rates.
“Unless the U.S. immediately repays the money borrowed for war, there will also be future interest payments,” the institute says. “We estimate that interest payments could total over $7.9 trillion by 2053.”
Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani met with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, Minister of State for the Foreign Affairs of Qatar, to discuss bilateral political and economic issues, it was announced on Thursday.
According to a statement released by the Interior Ministry, in the meeting the two sides agreed on the expansion and continuation of bilateral cooperation.
Based on the statement, the Qatari official announced that Qatar will stand by the “brother country” of Afghanistan in any situation.
He expressed hope that Afghanistan will strengthen and progress in the political, security and economic fields.
On the other hand, while thanking the Qatari delegation for their good wishes, the Acting Minister of Interior appreciated the efforts of the “brother country” of Qatar regarding Afghanistan.
Sirajuddin Haqqani also thanked the Qatari government for its emergency assistance to flood affected families in Afghanistan.
The visit of the high-level Qatari delegation to Kabul comes as Doha is expected to host the third meeting of special representatives of the countries for Afghanistan on June 30.
Michael McCaul, chairman of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, has stressed on pressuring the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to lift restrictions on women and girls.
McCaul said at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives that Afghanistan under the rule of the Islamic Emirate is facing a devastating humanitarian crisis.
He emphasized that the “hard fought gains to advance women’s rights and promote democracy were wiped out by President Biden’s decision to unilaterally withdraw.”
“Girls have been banned from attending school beyond sixth grade. Women are banned from working for [non-governmental organizations],” he stated.
McCaul also claimed that the Islamic Emirate has continued to harbor “terrorists”.
According to him, the American taxpayer funded aid is flowing to IEA fighters and loyalists, rather than suffering Afghan women and children.
The Islamic Emirate have previously rejected such remarks.
Officials of the Islamic Emirate have emphasized that the education and work of girls and women is an internal matter and countries should not interfere in it.
They have also said that IEA will not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against any other country.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) on Friday welcomed the announcement of Ireland, Spain and Norway that they would recognize a Palestinian state, calling it a “positive step.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the development comes while in addition to the “aggression on the historical land of Palestine, the Zionist occupation is trying to bring a demographic change by committing war crimes and genocide.”
The ministry said that it deems the Palestinian land as “the historical and legitimate right of the Palestinian nation, and strongly condemns the ongoing genocide by the Zionist invaders directed at broader regional instability.”
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan “once again calls on the international community, in particular the Islamic states, to take urgent measures to prevent the ongoing disaster in accordance to their responsibility and the right of defense and freedom of the Palestinian nation,” the statement added.
Ireland, Spain and Norway announced on Wednesday that they would recognize a Palestinian state on May 28.
About 144 of the 193 member-states of the United Nations recognise Palestine as a state.
Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 7 last year have left more than 35,000 people dead.
Pakistan to pay $2.58 million in compensation to families of 5 Chinese killed in suicide attack
Haqqani meets with top Qatari official in Kabul
McCaul stresses pressuring IEA to lift bans on Afghan women and girls
Scorching heatwave in India’s Rajasthan kills nine
IEA welcomes Ireland, Spain and Norway’s recognition of a Palestinian state
Afghanistan announce T20 World Cup 2024 squad
New Zealand to go ahead with Afghanistan cricket Test
Afghanistan beat Iraq 5-3, inch closer to Futsal World Cup berth
Afghanistan qualify for FIFA Futsal World Cup for first time ever
China to host Hamas, Fatah for Palestinian unity talks
Tahawol: SCO’s call for forming inclusive govt in Afghanistan discussed
Saar: Iran, Qatar and Palestine’s relations with Afghanistan
Tahawol: Calls for inclusive government in Afghanistan discussed
Saar: 3rd Doha meeting on Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: SCO foreign ministers meeting
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