Spending on Ukraine and Israel

     Two weeks after Israel recently received an $8.7 billion U.S. aid package, the Pentagon said the U.S., would send a missile defense system to Israel. Meanwhile, President Biden announced another $8 billion in military help for Ukraine. 

     Congress has appropriated more than $174 billion for Ukraine. About $60 billion of it is to purchase new or transfer excess U.S. equipment. It also provides training and covers costs for deploying more U.S troops to Europe, and replenishes U.S. and allied stocks. Funds also cover economic and humanitarian help for Ukraine and its neighbors. 

     If Trump had been reelected four years ago, none of the above would have been necessary. 

     Meanwhile, the U.S. provided our Middle East ally with more than $155 billion since 1948, including about $4 billion a year since 2019. In April Congress approved $26 billion, about half of which goes to Israel's military and rocket defenses, new weapons, supplies and training. $9 billion has gone for humanitarian aid to conflict victims worldwide, including Gaza.

     As for Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. spent about $1.7 trillion between 2001 and 2023. This comes to $4,386 for each taxpayer for Afghanistan and $4,093 for each taxpayer for Iraq operations over 23 years. 

     For Ukraine, $800 per taxpayer. There are additional costs for government agency work, some of which is secret, and some for veteran care. Oh, and then there is $8 billion to "counter communist China." The White House asked Congress for $9.9 billion for fiscal year 2025 for the Pacific region. 

     Therefore, we taxpayers all have an interest in what the government spends overseas, and in the decisions, it makes, wise or not. 

           Jimmy