War Against ISIS
2014–Present (12 years) · Middle East · Iraq, Syria
Operation Inherent Resolve — US-led coalition against ISIS/ISIL after they captured Mosul and declared a "caliphate." Over 34,000 airstrikes. ISIS territorial caliphate defeated by 2019 but insurgency continues. 2,500 US troops remain in Iraq and 900 in Syria as of 2026.
$115B
Cost (2023 dollars)
93
US Deaths
13,000
Civilian Deaths
5,000
Troops Deployed
$26.3M
Cost Per Day
$1.2B
Cost Per US Death
139.8:1
Civilian:Military Death Ratio
Casualty Breakdown
Outcome
Partial Victory
ISIS territorial caliphate destroyed by 2019. But ISIS insurgency continues. 3,400 US troops still deployed in Iraq and Syria. No exit plan.
Congressional Authorization: ❌ No
Obama used 2001 AUMF (designed for 9/11 attackers) to justify war against ISIS — a group that didn't exist in 2001 and was actually fighting al-Qaeda.
Key Events
- ▸2014 — ISIS captures Mosul; declares caliphate. US airstrikes begin August
- ▸2015 — US deploys Special Forces to Syria
- ▸2016 — Battle of Mosul begins
- ▸2017 — Mosul liberated; Raqqa falls to US-backed SDF
- ▸2019 — ISIS territorial caliphate collapses. Al-Baghdadi killed in US raid
- ▸2026 — AFRICOM still striking ISIS-Somalia; 3,400 US troops remain in Iraq/Syria
Objectives (Not Met / Partially Met)
- ❌Destroy ISIS caliphate
- ❌Defeat ISIS insurgency
- ❌Stabilize Iraq and Syria
Perspective
ISIS was a direct consequence of the 2003 Iraq invasion. The US created the conditions for ISIS, then spent $115 billion fighting it, and still has troops there over a decade later with no authorization and no exit plan.