The Costs of War Project
@costsofwar.bsky.social
The human, budgetary, environmental, and social costs of U.S. militarism and military operations, at home and abroad. Housed at Brown University's Watson School of International and Public Affairs at costsofwar.org.
More than 200,000 Iraqi civilians were killed in the wake of the post-9/11 wars writes @ishaantharoor.bsky.social, citing our research.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Column | Dick Cheney’s Iraq War legacy lives on
The former vice president is outlived by the cascading consequences of a war he defended to the last, even as Republican politics shifted.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
More than 200,000 Iraqi civilians were killed in the wake of the post-9/11 wars writes @ishaantharoor.bsky.social, citing our research.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
H.R. 1 diminishes transparency around Pentagon and military-related spending and increases it beyond the $1 trillion mark in FY 2026.
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
H.R. 1 diminishes transparency around Pentagon and military-related spending and increases it beyond the $1 trillion mark in FY 2026.
The Iraq war was perhaps Dick Cheney's "most lasting, and darkest, legacy," writes CNN's Ben Wedeman, citing Costs of War research on the financial costs of the post-9/11 wars: $8 trillion and counting. www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/m...
Dick Cheney helped design the ‘war on terror.’ It opened a Pandora’s box that still hasn’t been closed | CNN
Dick Cheney, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 84, was arguably one of the most powerful and influential US vice presidents in history.
www.cnn.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:27 PM
The Iraq war was perhaps Dick Cheney's "most lasting, and darkest, legacy," writes CNN's Ben Wedeman, citing Costs of War research on the financial costs of the post-9/11 wars: $8 trillion and counting. www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/m...
Dick Cheney, one of the key architects of the post-9/11 war era, has died.
An estimated 3.6-3.8 million people have died indirectly in post-9/11 war zones, bringing the total death toll to at least 4.5-4.7 million and counting.
An estimated 3.6-3.8 million people have died indirectly in post-9/11 war zones, bringing the total death toll to at least 4.5-4.7 million and counting.
November 4, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Dick Cheney, one of the key architects of the post-9/11 war era, has died.
An estimated 3.6-3.8 million people have died indirectly in post-9/11 war zones, bringing the total death toll to at least 4.5-4.7 million and counting.
An estimated 3.6-3.8 million people have died indirectly in post-9/11 war zones, bringing the total death toll to at least 4.5-4.7 million and counting.
@christopherleonard.bsky.social reports on the wave of labor unrest that has swept America’s workers in the weapons industry over the past year, citing our research with @quincyinst.bsky.social on Pentagon spending going to military contractors. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
America Doesn’t Have Enough Weapons for a Major Conflict. These Workers Know Why.
This summer, employees at several big defense companies went on strike. Their grievances highlight a much larger problem brewing beneath the surface.
www.politico.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
@christopherleonard.bsky.social reports on the wave of labor unrest that has swept America’s workers in the weapons industry over the past year, citing our research with @quincyinst.bsky.social on Pentagon spending going to military contractors. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Reposted by The Costs of War Project
Mamdani spoke of his aunt’s fear after 9/11. Backlash revealed how Islamophobia persists — A recent @salon.com article cites a report from the @costsofwar.bsky.social project that found hate crimes against Muslims increased between 2000 and 2009.
Mamdani spoke of his aunt’s fear after 9/11. Backlash revealed how Islamophobia persists - Salon.com
The response to an anecdote about anti-Muslim sentiment shows Islamophobia is still a problem.
ow.ly
November 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Mamdani spoke of his aunt’s fear after 9/11. Backlash revealed how Islamophobia persists — A recent @salon.com article cites a report from the @costsofwar.bsky.social project that found hate crimes against Muslims increased between 2000 and 2009.
Listen to Costs of War co-founder Neta C. Crawford on Gaza, and how U.S. democracy suffers as a result of long-term militarization.
November 3, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Listen to Costs of War co-founder Neta C. Crawford on Gaza, and how U.S. democracy suffers as a result of long-term militarization.
Costs of War contributor @david-vine.bsky.social on how the Israeli government appears to have orchestrated mass expulsion in Gaza – one of several tools of genocide.
October 31, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Costs of War contributor @david-vine.bsky.social on how the Israeli government appears to have orchestrated mass expulsion in Gaza – one of several tools of genocide.
@levernews.com breaks down our latest research with the @stimsoncenter.bsky.social on just what military contractors are getting out of the reconciliation bill, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. www.levernews.com/the-emperors...
The Emperor's New Drones
In an unusual move, lawmakers are sending billions in funding for defense technology companies through the reconciliation budget.
www.levernews.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
@levernews.com breaks down our latest research with the @stimsoncenter.bsky.social on just what military contractors are getting out of the reconciliation bill, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. www.levernews.com/the-emperors...
Listen to Costs of War contributor Linda Bilmes on the billions spent in U.S. post-10/7 military operations, and the trillions spent in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
October 30, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Listen to Costs of War contributor Linda Bilmes on the billions spent in U.S. post-10/7 military operations, and the trillions spent in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The House of Dynamite production team chose not to seek collaboration with the Pentagon to remain independent.
Now the Pentagon is objecting over its depiction of missile defense systems as fallible. The scriptwriter stands behind the depiction. [1/2] www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
Now the Pentagon is objecting over its depiction of missile defense systems as fallible. The scriptwriter stands behind the depiction. [1/2] www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
House of Dynamite writer ‘respectfully disagrees’ with Pentagon’s complaints about nuclear missile thriller
Noah Oppenheim responded to complaints from the Pentagon over the accuracy of the film’s depiction of the US’s defence systems
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The House of Dynamite production team chose not to seek collaboration with the Pentagon to remain independent.
Now the Pentagon is objecting over its depiction of missile defense systems as fallible. The scriptwriter stands behind the depiction. [1/2] www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
Now the Pentagon is objecting over its depiction of missile defense systems as fallible. The scriptwriter stands behind the depiction. [1/2] www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
Two U.S. administrations proceeded as though they had no leverage against Israel to stop the killing in Gaza. Costs of War contributor and @quincyinst.bsky.social expert William Hartung on why this wasn’t true:
October 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Two U.S. administrations proceeded as though they had no leverage against Israel to stop the killing in Gaza. Costs of War contributor and @quincyinst.bsky.social expert William Hartung on why this wasn’t true:
“People will die for years afterwards of things that they wouldn’t have had to die from in Gaza,” says Costs of War co-founder Neta Crawford on the long-term impacts of war.
October 28, 2025 at 2:31 PM
“People will die for years afterwards of things that they wouldn’t have had to die from in Gaza,” says Costs of War co-founder Neta Crawford on the long-term impacts of war.
Ending the displacement of Palestinians as well as the mass killing and destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure are clear requirements for peace, writes Costs of War contributor @david-vine.bsky.social. fpif.org/peace-in-gaz...
Peace in Gaza Depends on Palestinians’ Right to Remain—and Return - FPIF
Trump's peace plan includes a promise not to expel any Palestinians from Gaza. Can't that promise be kept?
fpif.org
October 27, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Ending the displacement of Palestinians as well as the mass killing and destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure are clear requirements for peace, writes Costs of War contributor @david-vine.bsky.social. fpif.org/peace-in-gaz...
U.S. strikes against cartel members are based on the same failed post-9/11 counterterror war paradigm; research shows it not only caused large-scale death and destruction, but was also strategically ineffective. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump plans land strikes against alleged drug traffickers from Venezuela
President says he ‘may go to the Congress and tell them … but I can’t imagine they’d have any problem with it’
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
U.S. strikes against cartel members are based on the same failed post-9/11 counterterror war paradigm; research shows it not only caused large-scale death and destruction, but was also strategically ineffective. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Military and related spending, including the regular Pentagon budget plus funding provided by H.R. 1, or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” is over 13 percent higher in FY26 than in FY25 and will primarily benefit military contractors.
October 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Military and related spending, including the regular Pentagon budget plus funding provided by H.R. 1, or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” is over 13 percent higher in FY26 than in FY25 and will primarily benefit military contractors.
NEW: The military spending portion of the reconciliation bill, or H.R. 1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) will primarily benefit military contractors, according to a new joint brief with the @stimsoncenter.bsky.social. [THREAD]
October 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
NEW: The military spending portion of the reconciliation bill, or H.R. 1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) will primarily benefit military contractors, according to a new joint brief with the @stimsoncenter.bsky.social. [THREAD]
Starting soon—register here: events.brown.edu/event/320525...
Event: Join Costs of War contributors on their new research on two years of the post-10/7 wars on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 2pm ET.
Moderated by @tparsi.bsky.social of the @quincyinst.bsky.social. events.brown.edu/event/320525...
Moderated by @tparsi.bsky.social of the @quincyinst.bsky.social. events.brown.edu/event/320525...
October 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Starting soon—register here: events.brown.edu/event/320525...
Tomorrow, Costs of War contributors will discuss their new research on two years of the post-10/7 wars.
Time: Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 2pm ET.
Moderated by @tparsi.bsky.social with the @quincyinst.bsky.social.
Register here: events.brown.edu/event/320525...
Time: Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 2pm ET.
Moderated by @tparsi.bsky.social with the @quincyinst.bsky.social.
Register here: events.brown.edu/event/320525...
The Human and Financial Costs of the Post-10/7 Wars, Two Years Later
Two years after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, the U.S. government has spent a total of $31 billion combined on military aid to Israel...
events.brown.edu
October 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Tomorrow, Costs of War contributors will discuss their new research on two years of the post-10/7 wars.
Time: Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 2pm ET.
Moderated by @tparsi.bsky.social with the @quincyinst.bsky.social.
Register here: events.brown.edu/event/320525...
Time: Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 2pm ET.
Moderated by @tparsi.bsky.social with the @quincyinst.bsky.social.
Register here: events.brown.edu/event/320525...
The U.S. has provided at least $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel since October 7, 2023. This figure excludes arms sales agreements to be paid by the U.S. in the future.
October 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The U.S. has provided at least $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel since October 7, 2023. This figure excludes arms sales agreements to be paid by the U.S. in the future.
Event: Join Costs of War contributors on their new research on two years of the post-10/7 wars on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 2pm ET.
Moderated by @tparsi.bsky.social of the @quincyinst.bsky.social. events.brown.edu/event/320525...
Moderated by @tparsi.bsky.social of the @quincyinst.bsky.social. events.brown.edu/event/320525...
October 17, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Event: Join Costs of War contributors on their new research on two years of the post-10/7 wars on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 2pm ET.
Moderated by @tparsi.bsky.social of the @quincyinst.bsky.social. events.brown.edu/event/320525...
Moderated by @tparsi.bsky.social of the @quincyinst.bsky.social. events.brown.edu/event/320525...
Displacement in Gaza and the West Bank since Oct. 7, 2023 [THREAD]
Nearly all the people living in Gaza—90% or more—have been forcibly displaced. Many have been displaced multiple times.
Nearly all the people living in Gaza—90% or more—have been forcibly displaced. Many have been displaced multiple times.
October 16, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Displacement in Gaza and the West Bank since Oct. 7, 2023 [THREAD]
Nearly all the people living in Gaza—90% or more—have been forcibly displaced. Many have been displaced multiple times.
Nearly all the people living in Gaza—90% or more—have been forcibly displaced. Many have been displaced multiple times.
As a ceasefire begins, NPR cites Costs of War and @quincyinst.bsky.social research on U.S. aid to Israel since October 7, 2023: $21.7 billion.
www.npr.org/2025/10/13/g...
www.npr.org/2025/10/13/g...
As the ceasefire begins, a look at the Gaza war by the numbers
With start of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and release of hostages and prisoners, here are some key figures related to the Gaza war and the Hamas-led attack on Israel that sparked it.
www.npr.org
October 15, 2025 at 2:46 PM
As a ceasefire begins, NPR cites Costs of War and @quincyinst.bsky.social research on U.S. aid to Israel since October 7, 2023: $21.7 billion.
www.npr.org/2025/10/13/g...
www.npr.org/2025/10/13/g...
The U.S. has provided at least $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel since October 7, 2023. This figure excludes arms sales agreements to be paid by the U.S. in the future.
October 14, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The U.S. has provided at least $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel since October 7, 2023. This figure excludes arms sales agreements to be paid by the U.S. in the future.
The top five contracts to major tech firms between 2019 and 2022 had contract ceilings totaling at least $53 billion combined.
October 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The top five contracts to major tech firms between 2019 and 2022 had contract ceilings totaling at least $53 billion combined.