Libya Airstrikes Cost U.S. $100 Million a Day: Is It Worth It?
SodaHead Politics
2011/03/22 19:00:00
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After waffling for a week about how and when to get involved in Libya’s civil war, critics are increasingly asking if America’s engagement in the nation’s internal strife is worth it.
At a time when we’re trying to wind down our engagement and financial involvement in the quagmires that are Iraq and Afghanistan, the National Journal reported that the costs in Libya are already piling up. With a final tab that could reach several billions of dollars – which would require the Pentagon to ask for emergency funds from Congress – the initial stages of the bombardment of the country’s air defenses could cost coalition forces between $400 and $800 million, with just the first day of bombing in Operation Odyssey Dawn running up a $100 million tab for the U.S.
The price tag rose higher on Tuesday, when a $30 million American F-15 crashed overnight injuring two soldiers.
By comparison, the National Priorities Project reported that the war in Iraq was running up a tab of $255 million a day, or a bit less than $1.8 billion a week.
With anger among some members of Congress about the administration’s failure to get authorization for the Libya action first and confusion about what the end game is in the military action – or who, exactly, the rebels are and what they want – questions are being asked why there wasn’t more public debate about plunging the U.S. into another conflict in the Middle East?
Is the action in Libya worth $100 million a day?
At a time when we’re trying to wind down our engagement and financial involvement in the quagmires that are Iraq and Afghanistan, the National Journal reported that the costs in Libya are already piling up. With a final tab that could reach several billions of dollars – which would require the Pentagon to ask for emergency funds from Congress – the initial stages of the bombardment of the country’s air defenses could cost coalition forces between $400 and $800 million, with just the first day of bombing in Operation Odyssey Dawn running up a $100 million tab for the U.S.
The price tag rose higher on Tuesday, when a $30 million American F-15 crashed overnight injuring two soldiers.
By comparison, the National Priorities Project reported that the war in Iraq was running up a tab of $255 million a day, or a bit less than $1.8 billion a week.
With anger among some members of Congress about the administration’s failure to get authorization for the Libya action first and confusion about what the end game is in the military action – or who, exactly, the rebels are and what they want – questions are being asked why there wasn’t more public debate about plunging the U.S. into another conflict in the Middle East?
Is the action in Libya worth $100 million a day?
Top Opinion
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Semper Fi 2011/03/22 19:23:32
As far as oil goes, anyone bother to think, if you use less oil, a lot of fighting and other issues would solve themselves out. You , me and anyone who uses oil is to blame. Until we accept responsibility for using oil and reducing our usage of oil and other resources, the world will never get better.
Rwanda.
We need rational and conservative heads in Washington, but I've little hope of THAT happening.
1. Canada
2. Mexico
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Venezuela
5. Nigeria
6. Angola
7. Iraq
8. Algeria
9. United Kingdom
10. Brazil
I don't see Libya on the list; hence, I think we are safe without their oil.
Even though I supported him, I was deceived into believing he intended a change for the better, now I see he campaigned on change he never said for the better... Dammit!
We seem to be helping depose US friendly leaders, to make way for the "Brotherhood" and using our tax dollars to help them achieve their objectives.
Iran seems to be getting stronger with every "revolution" in that area..........especially when they snuffed out their own oppositionas we stood by and did nothing to help. Where was our State dept and Prez then? We waffled on Egypt until we were sure who would win. In Lybia we followed the Euro's lead. All examples of having inexperienced people in charge of our foreign policy. These are all school smart people/lawyers with little or no real experience, but they sure ran a great campaign in 08'.
I think that our Prez is still under the delusion that his mere words will cause these despots to give up and leave. That's the sign of a narcissist and in plain street talk; a "dufus".