War on Terror

2001–2021 · Central Asia

$2.3T · 2,461 US deaths

America's longest war. Launched after 9/11 to destroy al-Qaeda and topple the Taliban. 20 years and $2.3 trillion later, the Taliban retook the country in 11 days.

“We were devoid of a fundamental understanding of Afghanistan — we didn't know wh...”

2001–Present · Global

$95B · 65 US deaths

Beyond the major wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, the United States conducts counterterrorism operations in at least 78 countries spanning every continent except Antarctica. U.S. Special Forces have deployed to 149 countries — 75% of the world's nations. These operations include training missions, intelligence operations, drone strikes, special operations raids, 'advise and assist' deployments, secret detention and interrogation programs, extraordinary rendition flights, signals intelligence collection, and the construction of a vast network of military bases and lily-pad outposts across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The 'Other Operations' category encompasses the full scope of the Global War on Terror beyond the named conflicts — a shadow war fought largely in secret, authorized by a single 60-word sentence passed three days after 9/11.

“Let us not become the evil that we deplore....”

2003–2011 · Middle East

$2T · 4,431 US deaths

Invasion based on false claims of weapons of mass destruction. Overthrew Saddam Hussein, destabilized the entire Middle East, and created the conditions for ISIS.

“Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with u...”

2004–Present · Multiple (Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Libya)

$30B · Covert

The Global Drone Campaign (2004-present) represents the most significant transformation in American warfare since the nuclear bomb: the development of a permanent, worldwide apparatus for extrajudicial killing by remote control. Operating across at least seven countries — Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya — the United States has conducted over 14,000 drone strikes since 2004, killing an estimated 8,858-16,901 people including 910-2,200 civilians and 283-454 children (Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates). The program, conducted jointly by the CIA and the Pentagon's Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), operates under the legal authority of the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force — a 60-word resolution passed to authorize action against the perpetrators of 9/11, now stretched to cover killings in countries the U.S. has never declared war on, against organizations that did not exist on September 11, 2001. The campaign has included the deliberate killing of American citizens without trial, the use of "signature strikes" targeting unidentified individuals based on behavioral patterns, and the systematic undercounting of civilian casualties through the classification of all military-age males in strike zones as combatants. Zero American military personnel have been killed in drone operations, making it warfare without political cost — and therefore warfare without democratic accountability.

“He should have had a more responsible father....”

2007–Present · Africa

$5B · 8 US deaths

Ongoing U.S. military operations against al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia since 2007, conducted primarily through AFRICOM drone strikes, special operations raids, and 'advise and assist' missions. The U.S. has conducted over 280 airstrikes in Somalia since 2007, killing thousands of militants and an unknown number of civilians. Approximately 900 U.S. troops rotate through Somali bases including Baledogle Airfield and compounds in Mogadishu. Five U.S. service members and three U.S. military contractors have been killed. The campaign has oscillated wildly between escalation and withdrawal — Trump dramatically increased strikes then withdrew troops; Biden redeployed them. Al-Shabaab remains the most powerful militant group in Africa, controlling significant territory and conducting devastating attacks, despite nearly two decades of U.S. military operations.

“We have been at war in Somalia for so long that most people don't even know we'r...”

2011–2011 · North Africa

$1.5B · Covert

NATO air campaign to support rebels overthrowing Gaddafi. "Humanitarian intervention" that turned Africa's most prosperous nation into a failed state with open slave markets.

“Probably failing to plan for the day after what I think was the right thing to d...”

2013–2024 · Africa

$750M · 4 US deaths

U.S. military operations across the Sahel region of West Africa from 2013-2024, centered on Niger but spanning Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad. The U.S. built a $110 million drone base (Air Base 201) near Agadez, deployed approximately 1,100 troops, and conducted training, surveillance, and strike operations against ISIS-Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS), Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate), and Boko Haram/ISWAP. The October 2017 Tongo Tongo ambush killed four American Green Berets and exposed the secret deployment to public scrutiny. The July 2023 Niger military coup and subsequent expulsion of U.S. forces ended the mission, with the $110 million drone base and associated equipment abandoned — ultimately occupied by Russian military personnel. The entire investment was lost.

“I didn't know there was 1,000 troops in Niger. This is an endless war without bo...”

2014–2025 · Middle East

$30B · 22 US deaths

Air campaign and special operations against ISIS in Syria. Also armed Syrian rebels, some of whom later joined extremist groups.

“We always wanted Bashar Assad to go, we always preferred the bad guys who weren'...”

2014–Present · Middle East

$115B · 93 US deaths

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.

“If you want to know who created ISIS, take a look at what happened in Iraq after...”

2015–2025 · Middle East

$10B · 2 US deaths

The Yemen War (2015-present) represents the most consequential and least understood American military involvement of the 21st century. Since March 2015, the United States has served as the primary enabler of a Saudi Arabian-led coalition bombing campaign that has killed an estimated 377,000 people — 60% from indirect causes including famine, disease, and lack of medical care — and created what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. American involvement includes 4.6 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, mid-air refueling of Saudi bombers (until November 2018), sharing of targeting intelligence, maintenance of Saudi aircraft, naval support for the coalition's blockade, and diplomatic cover at the United Nations Security Council. U.S.-manufactured bombs and aircraft have been documented striking hospitals, schools, weddings, funerals, water treatment facilities, and a school bus carrying 40 children. Despite bipartisan congressional opposition — including passage of a War Powers Resolution to end U.S. involvement that was vetoed by President Trump — American support has continued through four presidential administrations (Obama, Trump, Biden, and Trump again). The war has no congressional authorization, serves no vital American national security interest, and has demonstrably violated U.S. laws prohibiting arms transfers to countries that systematically target civilians.

“The United States is complicit in the worst humanitarian catastrophe on the plan...”

2022–Present · Europe

$175B · Covert

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the United States has provided over $175 billion in total assistance — approximately $66.9 billion in military aid, $26 billion in financial/economic support, and $80+ billion in additional security and humanitarian assistance. This represents the largest U.S. military aid package since World War II's Lend-Lease program. Weapons deliveries have progressively escalated from Javelins and Stingers to HIMARS, Patriot air defense systems, Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, ATACMS long-range missiles, cluster munitions, and F-16 fighter jet training. The aid has been accompanied by extensive intelligence sharing, satellite imagery, electronic warfare support, and training programs for Ukrainian forces at bases in Germany, the UK, and other NATO countries. No U.S. troops have been deployed in combat roles, but the scale of support makes the U.S. a de facto co-belligerent in the largest land war in Europe since 1945.

“We will support Ukraine for as long as it takes....”

2023–2025 · Middle East

$4.6B · Covert

Operation Prosperity Guardian — US-led coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks after October 2023 Gaza war. The most intense naval combat the US Navy has faced since World War II. Over 200 Houthi attacks on commercial and military vessels. US/UK launched 931+ airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen starting January 2024. Multiple carrier strike groups deployed including USS Eisenhower and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower battle groups. $1 billion+ in munitions expended. Suez Canal traffic dropped 50%, insurance premiums tripled, and global economic disruption exceeded $100 billion. B-2 Spirit stealth bombers deployed against underground Houthi bunkers. Zero US combat deaths but multiple close calls including drone near-misses on destroyers. Cost at least $4.5 billion through 2025.

“These attacks must stop. We will not hesitate to protect lives and the free flow...”

2026–Present · Middle East

$35B · 15 US deaths

On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched "Operation Epic Fury" — massive joint strikes to destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities and decapitate its leadership. Supreme Leader Khamenei killed on Day 1. CEASEFIRE announced Day 39 (April 7). Day 47: Trump declares war "over" on Fox News — then sends 6,000 more troops + USS George HW Bush. US blockade "completely halted" Iran trade — 9 ships turned back in 48 hours. Iran threatens Red Sea expansion. Pakistan Army Chief in Tehran. Israel-Lebanon "launch direct negotiations." Harvard: war could cost $1 trillion. IEA: "demand destruction" underway. Lebanon: 2,124 killed. HRANA: 1,701+ Iranian civilians (254 children). 13 US KIA, 520+ wounded. Ceasefire expires Apr 21.

“The founders gave Congress the power to declare war precisely because they knew ...”

2023–Present · Middle East

$21.7B · Covert

US-funded Israeli military operations in Lebanon from October 2023 cross-border fighting through the 2024 invasion and into the 2026 resumption. Part of $21.7B+ in US military aid to Israel since October 7, 2023 (Brown University Costs of War). The World Bank's 2025 RDNA report estimated $14 billion in damage to Lebanon — $6.8B physical destruction + $7.2B economic losses. Lebanon was already in economic collapse before the war began.

“You have funded the destruction of a country that was already on its knees. Amer...”