The Costs of War Project
@costsofwar.bsky.social
The human, budgetary, environmental, and social costs of U.S. wars and military operations, at home and abroad. Housed at Brown University's Watson School of International and Public Affairs at costsofwar.org.
From the runways to the malls, military style is everywhere. But when did camo stop meaning war, and start meaning cute? [1/2]
February 12, 2026 at 8:07 PM
From the runways to the malls, military style is everywhere. But when did camo stop meaning war, and start meaning cute? [1/2]
It’s New York Fashion Week. Shouldn’t we be curious about why “camo” is seemingly everywhere in the lives of people not in the military? Read our latest cultural analysis on the militarization of fashion. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/consum...
What does it say about our society that “Half the people on the street are dressed to kill,” as one New York Times critic has noted? Our new analysis explores one of the subtle ways we consume war: from bomber jackets to camo, militarized fashion consciously and unconsciously glorifies war. [THREAD]
February 12, 2026 at 3:28 PM
It’s New York Fashion Week. Shouldn’t we be curious about why “camo” is seemingly everywhere in the lives of people not in the military? Read our latest cultural analysis on the militarization of fashion. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/consum...
What does it say about our society that “Half the people on the street are dressed to kill,” as one New York Times critic has noted? Our new analysis explores one of the subtle ways we consume war: from bomber jackets to camo, militarized fashion consciously and unconsciously glorifies war. [THREAD]
February 11, 2026 at 3:31 PM
What does it say about our society that “Half the people on the street are dressed to kill,” as one New York Times critic has noted? Our new analysis explores one of the subtle ways we consume war: from bomber jackets to camo, militarized fashion consciously and unconsciously glorifies war. [THREAD]
ICE funding exceeds the military budgets of all but 15 countries, reports @stephensemler.bsky.social. www.stephensemler.com/p/democratic...
Democratic leaders offer ICE reforms — and record funding
Polygraph | Newsletter n°335 | 9 Feb 2026
www.stephensemler.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:06 PM
ICE funding exceeds the military budgets of all but 15 countries, reports @stephensemler.bsky.social. www.stephensemler.com/p/democratic...
U.S. counterterrorism spending in Somalia – over $2.5 billion since 2007 – dwarfs tax revenue raised by the Somali federal government.
February 10, 2026 at 3:16 PM
U.S. counterterrorism spending in Somalia – over $2.5 billion since 2007 – dwarfs tax revenue raised by the Somali federal government.
While “mass surveillance” is often used to refer to government spying, in the post-9/11 era it involves a complex grouping of federal agencies, local police, private companies, and even members of the public.
February 9, 2026 at 3:06 PM
While “mass surveillance” is often used to refer to government spying, in the post-9/11 era it involves a complex grouping of federal agencies, local police, private companies, and even members of the public.
Sporting events like the Super Bowl play a pivotal role in helping the U.S. armed forces recruit new troops. Between 2012-2015, the Pentagon spent $53 million to subsidize various sporting events and promotional campaigns.
February 6, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Sporting events like the Super Bowl play a pivotal role in helping the U.S. armed forces recruit new troops. Between 2012-2015, the Pentagon spent $53 million to subsidize various sporting events and promotional campaigns.
Reminder: Join us today at 4:00 p.m. ET for a panel reflecting on the political costs of war for U.S. democracy.
In-person participants must register in advance here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
Watch the livestream here: www.youtube.com/live/6AQDMKL...
In-person participants must register in advance here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
Watch the livestream here: www.youtube.com/live/6AQDMKL...
February 5, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Reminder: Join us today at 4:00 p.m. ET for a panel reflecting on the political costs of war for U.S. democracy.
In-person participants must register in advance here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
Watch the livestream here: www.youtube.com/live/6AQDMKL...
In-person participants must register in advance here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
Watch the livestream here: www.youtube.com/live/6AQDMKL...
Between 2021 and 2023, the U.S. government conducted counterterrorism operations in 78 countries. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/united...
February 5, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Between 2021 and 2023, the U.S. government conducted counterterrorism operations in 78 countries. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/united...
A sad day. Reliable information is essential in conflict zones if we are to understand the costs of war. The de-prioritization of international news coverage makes it harder to track those myriad costs, including civilian death tolls.
February 4, 2026 at 5:41 PM
A sad day. Reliable information is essential in conflict zones if we are to understand the costs of war. The de-prioritization of international news coverage makes it harder to track those myriad costs, including civilian death tolls.
Tomorrow: Join us for an interdisciplinary panel reflecting on the political costs of war for the U.S. today.
All participants must register in advance for in-person attendance; the event will also be streamed live at 4:00 pm ET.
Learn more and register here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
All participants must register in advance for in-person attendance; the event will also be streamed live at 4:00 pm ET.
Learn more and register here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
February 4, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Tomorrow: Join us for an interdisciplinary panel reflecting on the political costs of war for the U.S. today.
All participants must register in advance for in-person attendance; the event will also be streamed live at 4:00 pm ET.
Learn more and register here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
All participants must register in advance for in-person attendance; the event will also be streamed live at 4:00 pm ET.
Learn more and register here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
Some experts have argued that China’s military expenditures are far higher than official reporting would suggest. But either way, the U.S. continues to outspend China on defense by a substantial margin.
February 4, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Some experts have argued that China’s military expenditures are far higher than official reporting would suggest. But either way, the U.S. continues to outspend China on defense by a substantial margin.
Between 2020 and 2024, $771 billion in Pentagon contracts went to just five firms: Lockheed Martin, RTX, Boeing, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
February 3, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Between 2020 and 2024, $771 billion in Pentagon contracts went to just five firms: Lockheed Martin, RTX, Boeing, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
Since October 7, 2023, more than 10% of the population of Gaza has been directly killed or wounded. The Israeli military now reportedly accepts the death toll provided by the Gaza Health Ministry. en.ara.cat/internationa...
The Israeli army now admits Hamas's death toll of more than 71,000 in Gaza
The authorities have always denied the figures from the Ministry of Health, which they labeled as war "propaganda".
en.ara.cat
February 2, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Since October 7, 2023, more than 10% of the population of Gaza has been directly killed or wounded. The Israeli military now reportedly accepts the death toll provided by the Gaza Health Ministry. en.ara.cat/internationa...
The ICE killing of VA nurse Alex Pretti and the administration's response to it has demoralized VA staff, reports the American Prospect, citing our research that the post 9-11 wars produced the most disabled cohort of veterans in American history. prospect.org/2026/01/28/i...
VA Employees in Shock Over Alex Pretti’s Death, Administration Response - The American Prospect
VA Secretary Doug Collins has not sent a personal statement to the staff about the killing of Pretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
prospect.org
January 30, 2026 at 3:28 PM
The ICE killing of VA nurse Alex Pretti and the administration's response to it has demoralized VA staff, reports the American Prospect, citing our research that the post 9-11 wars produced the most disabled cohort of veterans in American history. prospect.org/2026/01/28/i...
Since the U.S. assault on Fallujah in 2004, childhood cancers have surged twelvefold — exceeding the rates recorded in Hiroshima after the atomic bombing.
There's also been a 17-fold rise in birth anomalies.
Important piece from The Real News, citing our research. therealnews.com/fallujah-us-...
There's also been a 17-fold rise in birth anomalies.
Important piece from The Real News, citing our research. therealnews.com/fallujah-us-...
The war in the womb: Fallujah’s generational crisis
Scores of children in Fallujah carry the scars of a war they never lived through.
therealnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Since the U.S. assault on Fallujah in 2004, childhood cancers have surged twelvefold — exceeding the rates recorded in Hiroshima after the atomic bombing.
There's also been a 17-fold rise in birth anomalies.
Important piece from The Real News, citing our research. therealnews.com/fallujah-us-...
There's also been a 17-fold rise in birth anomalies.
Important piece from The Real News, citing our research. therealnews.com/fallujah-us-...
At least 5.27 million people have fled or been forced to leave their homes in Gaza, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and the West Bank since October 7, 2023 – including an estimated 1.85 million displaced children.
January 28, 2026 at 4:47 PM
At least 5.27 million people have fled or been forced to leave their homes in Gaza, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and the West Bank since October 7, 2023 – including an estimated 1.85 million displaced children.
In opposition to the Vietnam War, organizations such as the International War Toys Boycott argued that war-themed toys glorified violence. Companies such as Sears Roebuck stopped selling war toys for almost fifteen years. [1/3]
January 27, 2026 at 5:06 PM
In opposition to the Vietnam War, organizations such as the International War Toys Boycott argued that war-themed toys glorified violence. Companies such as Sears Roebuck stopped selling war toys for almost fifteen years. [1/3]
Join us on Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:00-5:30 p.m. ET for an interdisciplinary panel reflecting on the political costs of war for the U.S. today.
All participants must register in advance for in-person attendance; the event will also be streamed live.
Register here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
All participants must register in advance for in-person attendance; the event will also be streamed live.
Register here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
January 27, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Join us on Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:00-5:30 p.m. ET for an interdisciplinary panel reflecting on the political costs of war for the U.S. today.
All participants must register in advance for in-person attendance; the event will also be streamed live.
Register here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
All participants must register in advance for in-person attendance; the event will also be streamed live.
Register here: events.brown.edu/watson/event...
ICE is part of the infrastructure built to intensify post-9/11 mass surveillance. Our report from 2023 outlines how:
-ICE has built a comprehensive database on a vast swathe of U.S. residents.
-It has contracted with data brokers to track citizens and noncitizens alike.
[1/4]
-ICE has built a comprehensive database on a vast swathe of U.S. residents.
-It has contracted with data brokers to track citizens and noncitizens alike.
[1/4]
January 26, 2026 at 5:20 PM
ICE is part of the infrastructure built to intensify post-9/11 mass surveillance. Our report from 2023 outlines how:
-ICE has built a comprehensive database on a vast swathe of U.S. residents.
-It has contracted with data brokers to track citizens and noncitizens alike.
[1/4]
-ICE has built a comprehensive database on a vast swathe of U.S. residents.
-It has contracted with data brokers to track citizens and noncitizens alike.
[1/4]
When seen as a percentage of each country’s peak deployment, British and Canadian troops put their lives at risk at twice the rate of American troops in Afghanistan. www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/w...
Trump angers allies with claim NATO troops ‘stayed a little back’ from frontlines in Afghanistan | CNN
US President Donald Trump has once again questioned whether NATO allies would “be there” if the United States “ever needed them,” claiming that the alliance’s troops “stayed a little back” from the fr...
www.cnn.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:52 PM
When seen as a percentage of each country’s peak deployment, British and Canadian troops put their lives at risk at twice the rate of American troops in Afghanistan. www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/w...
Bone sampling detected uranium in the bones of 29% of study participants in Fallujah, while lead was detected in 100% of participants’ samples. Researchers have never before detected uranium in bones in living populations.
January 22, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Bone sampling detected uranium in the bones of 29% of study participants in Fallujah, while lead was detected in 100% of participants’ samples. Researchers have never before detected uranium in bones in living populations.
As of 2024, there were 950 lobbyists hired by the arms industry. That’s 220 more than in 2020. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
January 21, 2026 at 3:31 PM
As of 2024, there were 950 lobbyists hired by the arms industry. That’s 220 more than in 2020. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/profit...
On average, the Pentagon receives 200 requests for “assistance” from Hollywood movie and TV studios each year. Of these, it “assists” – or influences – roughly seven feature film projects and approximately 93 smaller film and TV projects per year.
January 20, 2026 at 3:28 PM
On average, the Pentagon receives 200 requests for “assistance” from Hollywood movie and TV studios each year. Of these, it “assists” – or influences – roughly seven feature film projects and approximately 93 smaller film and TV projects per year.
In an 1967 speech, Martin Luther King Jr. decried a "society gone mad on war," highlighting how U.S. military involvement in Vietnam eviscerated anti-poverty programs at home. www.thirteen.org/blog-post/ma...
January 19, 2026 at 4:08 PM
In an 1967 speech, Martin Luther King Jr. decried a "society gone mad on war," highlighting how U.S. military involvement in Vietnam eviscerated anti-poverty programs at home. www.thirteen.org/blog-post/ma...