Problems with Using the Supplemental Budget Process to Fund Ongoing Military Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan
Six and a half years after the United States initiated the so-called "Global War on Terror" (GWOT) by invading Afghanistan, the continued use of emergency supplemental budgeting to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is undermining America's ability to plan responsibly for present and future threats.
U.S. Arms Sales Agreements with the Middle East, 1999-2006
The United States is far and away the leader in arms sales agreements with the Middle East. This analysis shows why.
U.S. Arms Sales Agreements Worldwide, 1999-2006
The United States is far and away the leader in worldwide arms sales agreements. This analysis shows why.
An Early Look Ahead: What to Expect from Clinton, McCain, and Obama on National Security
In this comprehensive analysis, Executive Director John Isaacs compares and contrasts the three remaining presidential candidates' positions on Iraq, Iran, nuclear weapons, missile defense, and much more.
U.S. Spending on Iraq and Afghanistan by Month, Week, Day, Hour, Minute, & Second
This chart shows how the United States spends $12.3 billion per month in Iraq and Afghanistan.
2008-2009 U.S. Defense Spending Highest Since WWII, Tops Vietnam and Korea
This graph compares U.S. defense spending in 2008 and 2009 to previous historical highs during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Reagan-era buildup. All figures are in 2008 dollars.
U.S. Defense Spending, 2001-2009
This graph shows the growth in U.S. defense spending from 2001 to 2009.
Why Congress Should Press the Case for No Permanent Presence in Iraq
The administration's entire "body language" leans toward a long-term presence in Iraq. Any agreement that the U.S. and Iraq sign this year will make it more difficult for the next President to disentangle the United States from the mess in Iraq.
Amid Promising Signs in Iraq, DC Battles Loom
In the early months of 2008, the Washington debate over what to do next in Iraq has revolved around two important issues: post-"surge" troop levels and a long-term security pact between the United States and Iraq. Both issues have significant political implications, especially in the middle of a closely contested election year.
Budget Dumps Iraq War in Next Administration's Lap
By adopting a piecemeal approach to the 2009 Iraq war budget, President Bush is thumbing his nose not just at Democrats but at Republicans as well. There is only one explanation for this move: Bush has decided to play serious hardball with the war budget in an attempt to dump responsibility for Iraq in the next president's lap.
As Substitute for Diplomacy, $20 Billion Saudi Arms Deal Falls Short
The sale of high-tech Joint Direct Attack Munitions weaponry to Saudi Arabia, unveiled in January 2008 as part of a larger $20 billion U.S. weapons package headed to the Middle East, is yet another example of the United States substituting arms sales for vigorous international diplomacy.
The FY 2009 Pentagon (DOD) Defense Budget Spending Request
On February 4, the Bush Administration submitted its request for $515.4 billion for the Department of Defense in Fiscal Year 2009, which begins on October 1, 2008. This is $35.9 billion more than current levels, an inflation-adjusted increase of 5.4 percent. The new request also includes $70 billion in funding for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Click here to read Christopher Hellman and Travis Sharp's breakdown of the new Pentagon budget request.
'Appalling Gap' in Homeland Security Raises Concerns
A recent report issued by the congressionally-mandated Commission on the National Guard and Reserves concluded that there is an "appalling gap" in our readiness to defend ourselves against a catastrophic event within our borders.
Highlights of Congressional Action on National Security in 2007
This compilation briefly summarizes Congressional action on key national security issues in 2007, including funding for Reliable Replacement Warhead, nuclear nonproliferation, missile defense, Iran, the Department of Defense, and ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A Permanent Presence? Dangers of a Long-Term U.S. Security Commitment to Iraq
This new Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation fact sheet explains the dangers of a long-term U.S. security commitment to Iraq.
Keeping Troops in Iraq through 2018 Pushes War Cost Over One Trillion Dollars
When asked on January 11 if the U.S. presence in Iraq would continue for another ten years, President Bush responded "It could easily be that. Absolutely." What Bush didn't mention was that keeping 55,000 U.S. troops in Iraq through 2018 will push the aggregate cost for the war over one trillion dollars.
Do We Still Need the Big Guns?
Many commentators have glorified Gen. David H. Petraeus's counterinsurgency manual as the second coming of George Kennan's famous "X" article. This effusive praise is largely a consequence of our need to derive a political narrative from the fog of war.
As Substitute for Diplomacy, $20 Billion U.S. Arms Deal Falls Short
On January 14, 2008 the Bush administration initiated the formal 30-day notification process for the proposed sale of 900 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) to Saudi Arabia. The sale of this JDAM technology, part of a larger $20 billion arms deal first announced in July 2007, is aimed squarely at U.S. efforts to contain Iran. In this new report by Travis Sharp and Katie Mounts, learn how the United States continues to use deadly technologies as the currency of friendship with foreign nations.
Our $70 Billion Lump of Coal
Just before leaving town for the holiday break, Congress approved an additional $70 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, bringing the total amount they've appropriated since 2001 to $700 billion. This astronomical sum surpasses the cost of the whole Vietnam War ($670 billion) in inflation-adjusted dollars.
YouTube Video: The Cost of War in Iraq and Afghanistan
A new Center video presents the costs of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan in U.S. taxpayers' dollars, U.S. lives, and the lives Iraqi civilians.
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