Aftermath of War Lives on and on and on......

U.S. better off because of Iraq War?

April 4 2013 - The 10th anniversary of invading Iraq has come and gone. As responsible citizens, we must look again at the professed reasons for beginning the war, tally up the costs in blood, treasure and national reputation, and compare them to the benefits, if any, from this geopolitical adventure. The aftermath of war lives on and on and on.

Former Sen. Robert Bennett in his column on March 25, answered a question posed by the healine: "Is Iraq better off because of war?"

He amplified the question in the body of his column, "Is Iraq — and the world — better off because of the war?" and answered in the affirmative.

A more specific and more relevant question for U.S. citizens is this:"Is the United States better off because of the war?" read more>>>

From the Costs of War Project: Because the Iraq war appropriations for FY2003 - FY2013 were not funded with new taxes, but by borrowing, it is important to keep in mind the interest costs already paid, and future interest costs. Iraq War appropriations for DOD and State were 54 percent of the interest costs. If one were to include Iraq's share of cumulative interest through 2053, those costs could be more than $3.9 trillion.

Brown University - Iraq: 10 Years After Costs of War - Research Papers

Costs of War Project The British Iraq War Inquiry In the above link, yet to be officially released, delayed till summer of 2013 supposedly, is the site of the often called 'Chilcot Inquiry', you will find these

24 November 2009 - Even before Bush's administration came to power an article written by his then national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, warned that "nothing will change" in Iraq until Saddam was gone

27 November 2009 - But there was a 'sea change' in attitude after the atrocities, with former national security adviser Condoleezza Rice targeting Iraq on the very day of the outrage.

30 November 2009 - George Bush tried to make a connection between Iraq and al-Qaida in a conversation with Tony Blair three days after the 9/11 attacks, according to Blair's foreign policy adviser of the time.

1 December 2009 - There was "a touching belief [in Washington] that we shouldn't worry so much about the aftermath because it was all going to be sweetness and light".

3 December 2009 - Boyce mentions the "dysfunctionalism" of Washington. He says that he would find himself briefing his American counterparts on what was happening in different parts of the US administration. Rumsfeld was not sharing information

Written Transcripts by Date of each session.

Oral Evidence by Date

Witnesses who have given oral evidence in public

Declassified Documents

And more, we still have nothing on what went on behind closed doors and may or may not with the final report, if and when it's released.