Iraq's Legacy: 2nd Costliest U.S. War

The 8-year conflict has drained more treasure than any but World War II. Taxpayers face decades of additional costs

The war in Iraq is officially over. The costs will go on.

Eight years of dodging improvised explosive devices, repelling insurgent ambushes and quelling sectarian strife already has drained the U.S. of more treasure than any conflict in the nation’s history except World War II.

Even though the last U.S. combat troops have left Iraq, American taxpayers will face decades of additional expenses, from veterans’ health care and disability benefits to interest on the debt accumulated to finance the war.

“Those costs are going to build for years,” said Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a Washington-based research group.

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