$50 Billion More Asked for Iraq and Afghanistan
The Senate Armed Services Committee has recommended an additional $50 billion be set aside to fund U.S. military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the U.S.-declared global war on terrorism
The proposed new war spending for fiscal 2006, which starts Oct. 1, would push the cost of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and its aftermath toward $250 billion.
Before the invasion, then-White House economic advisor Lawrence Lindsey said a conflict with Iraq could cost $100 billion to $200 billion. He was derided by administration colleagues and lost his job in December 2002.
The recommendation for fresh emergency spending was sent to the full Senate on Thursday night as part of a bill that also would authorize $441.6 billion in regular defense spending in fiscal 2006, a 3.1 percent real increase over the sum authorized by Congress last year.
Three days ago, Congress gave final approval for an $82 billion emergency war-spending bill, of which about $76 billion would go to fighting the war.
Even with such a large emergency funding measure, Pentagon officials have said more money would be needed as early as October.
At the same time, hundreds of US bases are being closed in the US, Europe, and South Korea...
"As you can see, we are recommending the closure of 33 of the 318 major military installations in the United States, and the realigning of 29 more," said Michael Wynne, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
"We also are recommending the closure or realignment of another 775 smaller military locations," he said.
Half of the 305 American military facilities in Germany are expected to close, according to Defense Department officials. Around 70,000 US personnel will return to the US from Europe. The cuts are the first in ten years
When combined with savings from the closure of overseas bases, the net savings are estimated at nearly $US65 billion, he said.
All of us know where the $65 billion will go: killing more Iraqis, launching more offensives, destroying more cities.
Meanwhile, the attacks against Qaim are still on going. Operation Matador entered its seventh day today, with what seems to be strong resistance...
In 96 hours of fighting and ambushes in far western Iraq, the squad had just ceased to be.
Every member of the squad - one of three that make up the 1st Platoon of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment - had been killed or wounded, Marines here said. All told, the 1st Platoon - which Hurley commands - had sustained 60 percent casualties, demolishing it as a fighting force.
"They used to call it Lucky Lima," said Maj. Steve Lawson, commander of the company. "That turned around and bit us."
Way to go, Matadorrrrrr...
