A perspective on Gulf War II in May of 2003.

[coloradodem2005]

Gulf War II: Costs, Benefits, and Ethics

We've still not seen the end of the consequences of this war with Iraq. The invasion by the US and Britain is still potentially a recruitment boon to al-Qaeda. But I have other concerns about the human and political costs and the value of any claims of "benefits" that may arise from the war.

The human cost is not just the 200 or so coalition dead. Since war supporters want to include the humanitarian benefits of the war, it's only honest to count the full human costs, as well. The civilian death count, as of May 25th, includes between 5000 and 7000 Iraqis. The numbers will almost certainly go much higher. Iraqi military deaths are still officially uncountable, but the best estimates "start at around 10-12,000."
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