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Afghanistan Quote by Noam Chomsky

“The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory for Osama bin Laden, whose announced goal was to bankrupt America by drawing it into a trap. The 2011 military budget - almost matching that of the rest of the world…” quote by Noam Chomsky
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“The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory for Osama bin Laden, whose announced goal was to bankrupt America by drawing it into a trap. The 2011 military budget - almost matching that of the rest of the world combined - is higher in real terms than at any time since World War II and is slated to go even higher .”

Noam Chomsky

About This Quote

Source Book: Hacking the Global Economy, 2016

The massive war expenses have unintentionally benefited terrorist goals, while military spending continues to rise beyond historic levels.

In simple terms: War spending fuels terrorist aims and grows unchecked.

Key Takeaway

Critically assess defense budgets.

Themes

war economics terrorism budget policy history geopolitics

Mood

critical concerned

Type

Afghanistan:1 America:1 Bin laden:0 Budgets:1 Cost:1 Drawing:0 Goal:0 Goals:0 Higher:1 Iraq:1 Majors:0 Matching:0 Military:1 Military budget:1 Osama bin laden:0 Real:0 Running:0 Term:0 Traps:0 Victory:0 War:1 War of the worlds:0 World:0 World war:0 World war i:0 World war ii:0 Costs Bush:0 Afghanistan Estimated:0 Obama Wars:0 Victory Osama:0

When to use this quote

  • government budgeting
  • policy advocacy
  • public discourse

Key Concepts

strategic misallocation unintended consequences power dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What alternatives exist to massive defense budgets?
  • How can transparency improve fiscal decisions?
A Different Perspective

High spending may not ensure security.

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