War on Terror
The September 11 attacks launched an era of permanent war. Afghanistan, Iraq, drone campaigns, and global surveillance operations have cost trillions and continue with no clear end.
$4.6T
Total Cost (2023 $)
7,239
US Deaths
703,680
Civilian Deaths
12
Conflicts
2
Authorized by Congress
10
No Authorization
$2.3T
Costliest: Afghanistan
4,599
Deadliest: Iraq War
Cost by Conflict (Billions, 2023 $)
Deaths by Conflict
🗽 Libertarian Analysis
The War on Terror represents the culmination of every dangerous trend in American military history: wars without end, executive power without limit, spending without accountability, and surveillance without restraint. A 60-word authorization passed in the shock of 9/11 became the legal basis for permanent global war. The Founders' worst fears about military power have been realized.
⚖️ Constitutional Authority
The 2001 AUMF and 2002 Iraq AUMF represent Congress delegating its war power rather than exercising it. The 2001 AUMF has been stretched to justify operations in 22+ countries against groups that didn't exist on 9/11. Congress has effectively abandoned its constitutional role in war-making.
🏛️ Presidents
⚔️ Conflicts in This Era
Afghanistan
Defeat2001–2021 · 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...”
GWOT (Other)
Ongoing2001–Present · Global
$60B · 50 US deaths
Beyond the major wars, the US conducts counterterrorism operations in at least 78 countries. Special Forces deployed to 149 countries (75% of the world). Includes training missions, intelligence operations, drone strikes, and special operations raids across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
“Let us not become the evil that we deplore....”
Iraq War
Pyrrhic victory / Strategic defeat2003–2011 · Middle East
$2T · 4,599 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...”
Drone Wars
Ongoing2004–Present · Multiple (Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Libya)
$30B · Covert
Ongoing drone assassination program across multiple countries. The US kills people in countries it has never declared war on, often including civilians.
“He should have had a more responsible father....”
Somalia (AFRICOM)
Ongoing2007–Present · Africa
$4.5B · 8 US deaths
Ongoing US military operations against al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia. Over 200 airstrikes since 2007. Troops deployed, withdrawn by Trump in 2020, redeployed by Biden in 2022. Still active in 2026 with regular AFRICOM strikes.
“We have been at war in Somalia for so long that most people don't even know we'r...”
Libya
Regime change / State collapse2011–2011 · 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...”
Niger/Sahel
Withdrawal2013–2024 · Africa
$600M · 4 US deaths
US built a $110M drone base in Agadez, Niger and deployed ~1,100 troops to fight ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates in the Sahel. After the 2023 Niger coup, the junta expelled US forces. Full withdrawal completed 2024. Four US soldiers killed in 2017 Tongo Tongo ambush.
“I didn't know there was 1,000 troops in Niger. This is an endless war without bo...”
Syria
Ongoing / ISIS territorial defeat2014–2025 · 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'...”
Anti-ISIS
Partial Victory2014–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...”
Yemen
Ongoing humanitarian catastrophe2015–2025 · Middle East
$10B · 2 US deaths
US military support for Saudi Arabia's bombing campaign in Yemen — the world's worst humanitarian crisis. US provides weapons, intelligence, and refueling.
“The United States is complicit in the worst humanitarian catastrophe on the plan...”
Red Sea (Houthis)
Ceasefire2023–2025 · Middle East
$4.6B · Covert
Operation Prosperity Guardian — US-led coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks after October 2023 Gaza war. US/UK launched airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen starting January 2024. $6.5M/day per carrier strike group deployed. Cost at least $4.5 billion through 2025.
“These attacks must stop. We will not hesitate to protect lives and the free flow...”
Iran 2026
Developing2026–Present · Middle East
$2B · Covert
In February 2026, the US and Israel conducted large-scale military strikes against Iran, described as the biggest US buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion. Strikes targeted nuclear and military infrastructure. Carrier strike groups deployed at $6.5M/day each. Situation still developing.
“The founders gave Congress the power to declare war precisely because they knew ...”