Video: Iraq By the Numbers

We Need a Strategic Reset

July 26, 2007

President Bush can no longer ignore the realities of the war in Iraq, and Congress and the country can no longer allow him to do so. The Center for American Progress’s national security experts have developed a comprehensive plan, “Strategic Reset,” that provides the policy framework needed to restore U.S. power and prestige in the Middle East and reset our national security priorities on the real terrorist threats to our country.

Clearly, it's time for a strategic reset in Iraq:

Casualties – and costs – are increasing

3,644: U.S. troops killed

26,953: U.S. troops wounded

$463 billion: Cost of the war as of 2007

$633 billion: Estimated cost of the war by 2008, including escalation

160,000: Number of U.S. troops in Iraq

The situation on the ground is deteriorating

19: Average number of daily attacks by insurgents, June 2004

178: Average number of daily attacks by insurgents, June 2007

Americans are less safe

1: Iraq’s current ranking among all nations as a training ground for terrorists

83: Percentage of Americans who don’t think our presence in Iraq is eliminating terrorists who might attack the United States

21: Percentage of the 2007 U.S. national security budget to be spent on Iraq

8: Percentage of the budget to be spent on homeland security

Read the CAP report:

 

• Strategic Reset: Reclaiming Control of U.S. Security in the Middle East