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Afghan War Costs US $3.6B Per Month

Figure will go even higher if more troops are sent

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 15, 2009 9:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – Waging a war in Afghanistan ain’t cheap. The US is spending roughly $3.6 billion a month there, according to data from the Congressional Research Service, and that number is likely to rise precipitously as the Obama administration sends more troops. That estimate is based on 51,000 troops; Obama is already planning to bump that to 68,000, and is considering General McChrystal’s request for up to 40,000 more.

Every soldier sent to Afghanistan costs roughly $1 million a year, one CRS specialist tells the Hill, while an Afghan soldier costs just $12,000. The Obama administration has been using similar figures.

A special operations plane sits on the tarmac as it is readied to fly a re-supply mission to Special Forces soldiers at a fire base in Afghanistan Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Inside the cargo hold of a special operations plane, a U.S Air Force captain checks the load of supplies for a re-supply air drop to a Special Forces fire base in Afghanistan Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 12 comments

bewilderbeast

Oct 16, 2009 11:56 AM CDT

US bases will most definitely close, Shannon. Bet your life on it. WHEN and under what circumstances may be debatable (my money would say "Not in a pretty way") but they WILL close. Listen to Semper and Just.Go.Home.

bewilderbeast

Oct 16, 2009 11:54 AM CDT

"our war". Nice one. Not only CAN you up and leave, you SHOULD up and leave. On what level is this stupidity "right"? America has NEVER instituted democracy (and what is that anyway?) where it has invaded or bombed. Ain't gonna happen in Afghanistan either.

Shannonals

Oct 16, 2009 5:34 AM CDT

I concur with your statements regarding bringing the troops home, but c'mon SemperFI, there isn't a chance in heck that any US base overseas will ever close.

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Afghan War Costs US $3.6B Per Month

Figure will go even higher if more troops are sent

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Afghanistan • defense spending • war cost • Afghanistan war

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Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

CIA Fills Void in Iraq, Afghanistan

Agency expects to maintain large stations there for years

US Drones Return to Hit Rescuers, Funerals

Strikes occurring every 4 days under Obama: report

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

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Afghan War Costs US $3.6B Per Month

Figure will go even higher if more troops are sent

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • defense spending • war cost • Afghanistan war

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

CIA Fills Void in Iraq, Afghanistan

Agency expects to maintain large stations there for years

US Drones Return to Hit Rescuers, Funerals

Strikes occurring every 4 days under Obama: report

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

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