The Costs To Battle The Islamic State Are Starting To Soar

U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses questions from U.S. military members during a town hall meeting in Baghdad, Nov. 15, 2014. DoD photo by D. Myles Cullen

Costs Soar In War Against Islamic State -- Walter Pincus, Chicago Tribune

The cost of the fight against the Islamic State continues to mount.

The departure of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel may be one of them, but I want to focus on the dollars and sense, and by the latter I mean explaining more about what we are doing.

The Obama administration's request to Congress for an additional $5.6 billion is needed to begin paying for operations against the Islamic State for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.

Approval for authorization and appropriation of that money — some of it already spent — requires congressional action. Members also have to vote on extending the funding for all Defense Department spending after Dec. 11, when the continuing resolution approved in September that finances the entire government runs out.

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My Comment: In short .... U.S. re-engagement in Iraq is going to take years and probably cost tens of billions. Is the American public prepared for such a commitment? On that issue I have some doubts.

Update: It looks like the U.S. Congress is finally starting to raise concerns on the costs for this war .... Appropriations Chairs Still 'Working on the Numbers' to Fund Islamic State Fight (Defense News)