Costs of War
Costs of War
Costs of War
About Costs of War
Promoting research and public awareness of the human, economic, social, political and environmental costs of U.S. militarism.
Latest Research Papers
The majority of the federal workforce involves military-related sectors, including the military, homeland security, and more. But military spending is inefficient for employment: spending on education and healthcare would create more jobs while reducing the federal budget.
In five years, from 2020 to 2024, private firms received $2.4 trillion in contracts from the Pentagon, approximately 54% of the department’s discretionary spending of $4.4 trillion over that period.
Since the 2000s, national governments and terrorist groups – from Israel, Syria’s Assad regime and the United States to the Islamic State – have found ways to curtail conflict coverage through myriad means, from repressive policies to armed attack.
Based on interdisciplinary biological, environmental, and anthropological research in Fallujah, Iraq, this report finds that people who have returned to bombarded homes and neighborhoods may face increased risk of negative health impacts from heavy metal exposure, both for themselves and for future generations.
Summary of Key Findings
Military spending produces an average of 5 jobs per $1 million. The same investment in other sectors creates more employment - nearly 13 jobs in education, 9 in healthcare, and 7-8 in infrastructure and clean energy. Read More >
From 2020 to 2024, private firms received $2.4 trillion in contracts from the Pentagon, approximately 54% of the department’s discretionary spending of $4.4 trillion. Read More >
The expanding tools of political influence used by the arms industry include extensive lobbying, millions in campaign donations, the revolving door, funding think tanks, and involvement in government advisory committees. Read More >
U.S.-backed Israeli military operations since Oct. 7, 2023 will lead to far higher indirect death than direct death rates. Read More >
U.S. spending on aid for Israeli military operations in Gaza and elsewhere between Oct. 7, 2023 – Oct. 7, 2024 is over $17.9 billion. Spending on related U.S. operations in the region is over $4.86 billion Read More >
Over the course of the war in Afghanistan (2001-2021), 24% of U.S. women service members and 1.9% of men experienced sexual assault. Read More >
The “Military-Industrial Complex” is enmeshed with Silicon Valley. A growing portion of Pentagon spending goes to large tech firms. Read More >
War contributes significantly to climate change: The U.S. Defense Department is one of the world’s top greenhouse gas emitters. Read More >
Americans are inundated with cultural products that promote militarism – many of them influenced by the Pentagon. From movies to sporting events, the entertainment we consume normalizes war, reducing reflection about U.S. policy choices and their consequences. Read More >
Costs
Costs of War research examines the human toll of U.S. military operations and spending, for U.S. service members, veterans, military contractors, and allies; and for civilians killed and displaced.
Costs of War research tallies U.S. spending on war and military operations and examines the broader economic consequences of this spending.
Costs of War research documents the social and political costs of U.S. war and militarism. These include the domestic effects of U.S. wars on populations at home.
In the News
See All EcoJustice Radio
EcoJustice Radio
Costs of War was cited on EcoJustice Radio (KCSB) on military emissions.
A piece in Counterpunch cited Costs of War on direct and indirect deaths in the post-9/11 wars.
The Daily Mail cited Costs of War research on US military aid to Israel.
Harper’s
The Good Pervert
Harper’s cites Costs of War on the human costs war in Gaza.
ArtsLife cited Costs of War research on the costs of war to journalists in Gaza.
ArtNews cited Costs of War research on the costs of war to journalists in Gaza.
Watch / Listen / Read More
Watch Us on Youtube
Find recordings of past events, paper releases, and panel discussions.
Costs of War on Trending Globally
Trending Globally is a regular podcast featuring insight on today's critical global challenges. With Brown University scholars, practitioners, and students, the discussions bridge research, politics, and policy.
William Hartung, "The Role of Information in Building a New World" TomDispatch, September 2, 2025
Neta Crawford, "Gaza: civilian death toll outpaces other modern wars" The Conversation, August 27, 2025
Andrea Mazzarino, "The Bully in Donald Trump's Bully Pulpit" TomDispatch, August 26, 2025
William Hartung, "We Have a Trillion Dollar Pentagon Budget. Now What?" Forbes, August 25, 2027
William Hartung, "Entering a Golden Age for War Profiteers" TomDispatch, July 27, 2025
Linda Bilmes, "Soft power delivers big returns, but Trump is slashing it anyway" Boston Globe, July 24, 2025
William Hartung, "Billions for weapons, rather than troops, won't make us safer" LA Times, July 22, 2025
Andrea Mazzarino, "Illness and Endless Wars" TomDispatch, July 8, 2025
William Hartung, "Feeding the Warfare State" TomDispatch, July 1, 2025
William Hartung, "Another Iraq? Military Expert Warns U.S. Has No Real Plan If It joins Israel’s War on Iran" Democracy Now!, June 20, 2025