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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 43 (from laksa069)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa043.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.gzeromedia.com/the-graphic-truth-was-the-us-war-in-afghanistan-worth-it\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.gzeromedia.com/the-graphic-truth-was-the-us-war-in-afghanistan-worth-it\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-graphic-truth-was-the-us-war-in-afghanistan-worth-it","crawl_time":1775875363,"first_indexed_time":1629149760,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,gzeromedia!www,\/the-graphic-truth-was-the-us-war-in-afghanistan-worth-it s443","src_root_hash":"6355944888602386043","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"PDF Link Styles | GZERO Media","meta_descriptions":[],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Skip to content\nSearch\nHuman content,\nAI powered\nsearch.\nLatest Stories\nSign up for GZERO Daily.\nGet our latest updates and insights delivered to your inbox.\nEnter your email\nPuppet Regime is up for a Webby Award!  \nVOTE HERE\nGraphic Truth\nCarlos Santamaria\nCarlos Santamaria is a former senior writer at GZERO.\nPaige  Fusco\nPaige Fusco is a graphic designer creating visualizations - data-driven and otherwise - for Eurasia Group and GZERO Media.\nAugust 16, 2021\nAfghanistan has been America's longest war — by a long shot. In today's dollars (adjusted for inflation) it's also the third most expensive US foreign war ever, surpassed only by Iraq and World War II. Yet, nearly 20 years of American boots on the ground and over $2 trillion spent have failed to prevent the unfolding catastrophe as the last US troops leave Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the human toll has been enormous: over 3 million Afghans have been displaced, and tens of thousands of Afghan security forces and US military personnel and contractors have been killed in a war that's come full circle, with the Taliban now in charge once again. We take a look at some of the economic and human costs of two decades of US military involvement in Afghanistan.\nLatest Videos\nRelated\nMore For You\nIn this new episode of Tools and Weapons, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits down with Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn and EVP at Microsoft, for a timely conversation on how AI is reshaping the world of work. Drawing on insights from his new book, Open to Work, they explore how rethinking jobs as collections of tasks and treating skills as currency can help people, organizations, and economies adapt to a rapidly changing labor market.\nWatch the episode\nhere\n.\nMost Popular\nLoad More","attrs_markdown":"![](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=359223808087944&ev=PageView%0A&noscript=1)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/)\n- [Analysis](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/analysis\/)\n- [What We're Watching](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/watching\/)\n- [Hard Numbers](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/hard-numbers\/)\n- [Editor's Picks](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/editors-picks\/)\n- [Graphic Truth](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/)\n- [Games](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/games\/)\n- [by ian bremmer](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/by-ian-bremmer\/)\n- [AI](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/ai\/)\n- [China](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/china\/)\n- [Climate](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/climate\/)\n- [Economy](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/economy\/)\n- [Israel](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/israel\/)\n- [Politics](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/politics\/)\n- [Russia\/Ukraine](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/russia-ukraine\/)\n- [Science & Tech](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/science-tech\/)\n- [United Nations](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/united-nations\/)\n- [GZERO Explains](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/gzero-explains\/)\n- [Viewpoint](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/viewpoint\/)\n- [US & Canada](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/us-canada\/)\n- [Europe](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/europe\/)\n- [Latin America & Caribbean](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/latin-america-caribbean\/)\n- [Africa](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/africa\/)\n- [Middle East](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/middle-east\/)\n- [Asia](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/asia\/)\n- [Australia & Pacific](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/australia-pacific\/)\n- [GZERO North](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/gzero-north\/)\n- [GZERO AI](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/gzero-ai\/)\n- [Hunger Pains](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/hunger-pains\/)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/)\n- [GZERO World with Ian Bremmer](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-with-ian-bremmer\/)\n- [GZERO World Clips](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-clips\/)\n- [Quick Take](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/quick-take\/)\n- [Ian Explains](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ian-explains\/)\n- [Puppet Regime](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/puppet-regime\/)\n- [ask ian](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ask-ian\/)\n- [GZERO Europe](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-europe\/)\n- [GZERO Reports](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-reports\/)\n- [The Debrief](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/the-debrief\/)\n- [US Politics In 60 Seconds](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/us-politics-in-60\/)\n- [GZERO Live](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-live\/)\n- [State of the World](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/state-of-the-world\/)\n- [GZERO AI Video](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-ai-video\/)\n- [The Red Pen](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/the-red-pen\/)\n- [Work In 60 Seconds](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/work-in-60\/)\n- [Cyber in 60 Seconds](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/cyber-in-60\/)\n- [Tech in 60 Seconds](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/tech-in-60\/)\n- [Money in 60 Seconds](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/money-in-60\/)\n- [A. 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[VOTE HERE](https:\/\/wbby.co\/58950N)\n\n1. [Graphic Truth](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/)  \\>\n\n[Graphic Truth](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/)\n\n# The Graphic Truth: Was the US war in Afghanistan worth it?\n\n![The Graphic Truth: Was the US war in Afghanistan worth it?](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/the-graphic-truth-was-the-us-war-in-afghanistan-worth-it.png?id=27238941&width=1200&height=1074&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)\n\nPaige Fusco\n\nBy [Carlos Santamaria](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/carlossantamaria),\n\nCarlos Santamaria\n\nCarlos Santamaria is a former senior writer at GZERO.\n\n[See Full Bio](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/carlossantamaria)\n\n[Paige Fusco](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/paigefusco)\n\nPaige Fusco\n\nPaige Fusco is a graphic designer creating visualizations - data-driven and otherwise - for Eurasia Group and GZERO Media.\n\n[See Full Bio](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/paigefusco)\n\nAugust 16, 2021\n\nTrending Stories\n\n[![Top defense budgets globally compared the US](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/us-defense-spending-vs-everyone-else)\n\n### [US defense spending vs. the world](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/us-defense-spending-vs-everyone-else)\n\n[![The Graphic Truth: China's \"Paramount Leaders\" ](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-graphic-truth-china-s-paramount-leaders)\n\n### [The Graphic Truth: China's \"Paramount Leaders\"](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-graphic-truth-china-s-paramount-leaders)\n\n[![Comparative maps showing which countries had official diplomatic ties with Taiwan just before the UN recognized the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1971 to today.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-graphic-truth-taiwan-s-shrinking-recognition)\n\n### [The Graphic Truth: Taiwan's shrinking recognition](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-graphic-truth-taiwan-s-shrinking-recognition)\n\n[![Graphic Truth: Most successful ice hockey teams](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/gzero-north\/graphic-truth-most-successful-ice-hockey-teams)\n\n### [Graphic Truth: Most successful ice hockey teams](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/gzero-north\/graphic-truth-most-successful-ice-hockey-teams)\n\n[![Graphic Truth: Military might, Canada vs. US](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/gzero-north\/graphic-truth-military-might-canada-vs-us)\n\n### [Graphic Truth: Military might, Canada vs. US](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/gzero-north\/graphic-truth-military-might-canada-vs-us)\n\n[![A graph showing the value of the British pound against the US dollar (2000- Oct 2022)](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/the-graphic-truth-the-tumbling-british-pound)\n\n### [The Graphic Truth: The tumbling British pound](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/the-graphic-truth-the-tumbling-british-pound)\n\nAfghanistan has been America's longest war — by a long shot. In today's dollars (adjusted for inflation) it's also the third most expensive US foreign war ever, surpassed only by Iraq and World War II. Yet, nearly 20 years of American boots on the ground and over \\$2 trillion spent have failed to prevent the unfolding catastrophe as the last US troops leave Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the human toll has been enormous: over 3 million Afghans have been displaced, and tens of thousands of Afghan security forces and US military personnel and contractors have been killed in a war that's come full circle, with the Taliban now in charge once again. We take a look at some of the economic and human costs of two decades of US military involvement in Afghanistan.\n\n[afghanistan](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/tag\/afghanistan)[afghan government](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/tag\/afghan-government)[afghanistan withdrawal](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/tag\/afghanistan-withdrawal)[graphic truth](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/tag\/graphic-truth)[us war in afghanistan](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/tag\/us-war-in-afghanistan)\n\n## Latest Videos\n![Krastev: The Iran war is fracturing Europe's far right](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n[GZERO World Clips](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-clips\/)\n\n## [Krastev: The Iran war is fracturing Europe's far right](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-clips\/krastev-the-iran-war-is-fracturing-europe-s-far-right)\n\n[![How Viktor Orbán went from pro-democratic dissident to authoritarian strongman](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-with-ian-bremmer\/how-viktor-orban-went-from-pro-democratic-dissident-to-authoritarian-strongman)\n\n[GZERO World with Ian Bremmer](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-with-ian-bremmer\/)\n\n## [How Viktor Orbán went from pro-democratic dissident to authoritarian strongman](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-with-ian-bremmer\/how-viktor-orban-went-from-pro-democratic-dissident-to-authoritarian-strongman)\n\n[![Trump’s ceasefire deal with Iran](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ask-ian\/trumps-ceasefire-deal-with-iran)\n\n[ask ian](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ask-ian\/)\n\n## [Trump’s ceasefire deal with Iran](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ask-ian\/trumps-ceasefire-deal-with-iran)\n\n[![Why Orbán's real patron isn't Trump](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-clips\/why-orban-s-real-patron-isn-t-trump)\n\n[GZERO World Clips](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-clips\/)\n\n## [Why Orbán's real patron isn't Trump](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-clips\/why-orban-s-real-patron-isn-t-trump)\n\n[![Who’s negotiating with Iran to keep trade moving?](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/quick-take\/whos-negotiating-with-iran-to-keep-trade-moving)\n\n[Quick Take](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/quick-take\/)\n\n## [Who’s negotiating with Iran to keep trade moving?](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/quick-take\/whos-negotiating-with-iran-to-keep-trade-moving)\n\n[![How Hungary's Orbán built his empire, and why it's cracking](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ian-explains\/how-hungary-s-orban-built-his-empire-and-why-it-s-cracking)\n\n[Ian Explains](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ian-explains\/)\n\n## [How Hungary's Orbán built his empire, and why it's cracking](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ian-explains\/how-hungary-s-orban-built-his-empire-and-why-it-s-cracking)\n\n## Related\n[![Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest, Hungary, on March 23, 2026.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/watching\/hungarys-orban-faces-judgement-day-peru-to-hold-another-presidential-election-cubas-leader-isnt-quitting)\n\n[What We're Watching](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/watching\/)\n\n### [Hungary’s Orbán faces judgment day, Peru to hold another presidential election, Cuba’s leader isn’t quitting](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/watching\/hungarys-orban-faces-judgement-day-peru-to-hold-another-presidential-election-cubas-leader-isnt-quitting)\n\n[Hard Numbers](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/hard-numbers\/)\n\n### [Hard number: No spring breaks in Europe?](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/hard-numbers\/hard-number-no-spring-breaks-in-europe)\n\n[Analysis](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/analysis\/)\n\n### [How China is supplying America’s “biohacking” craze](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/analysis\/how-china-is-supplying-americas-biohacking-craze)\n\n## The Top 5\n[![Casino depicting things commonly bet on by political betters.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-case-against-political-prediction-markets)\n\n### [The case against political prediction markets](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-case-against-political-prediction-markets)\nApr 01, 2026\n\n[![Viktor Orban and Peter Magyar](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/by-ian-bremmer\/viktor-orban-will-probably-lose-what-then)\n\n### [Viktor Orban will probably lose. What then?](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/by-ian-bremmer\/viktor-orban-will-probably-lose-what-then)\nApr 08, 2026\n\n[![The United States President Donald Trump holds a Press Conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 6, 2026 in Washington DC. ](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/analysis\/trumps-new-ultimatum-for-iran)\n\n### [Trump’s new ultimatum for Iran](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/analysis\/trumps-new-ultimatum-for-iran)\nApr 07, 2026\n\n[![We are a Webby Nominee \\| The Webby Awards \\| Vote for Us \\| Voting open until Thursday, April 16th \\| Puppet Regime puppets shown](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/editors-picks\/vote-for-puppet-regime-in-the-webby-awards)\n\n### [Vote for Puppet Regime in the Webby Awards\\!](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/editors-picks\/vote-for-puppet-regime-in-the-webby-awards)\nApr 02, 2026\n\n[![Viktor Orbán's last stand, and the future of Europe's far right with Ivan Krastev](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/podcast\/gzero-world-podcast\/viktor-orban-s-last-stand-and-the-future-of-europe-s-far-right-with-ivan-krastev)\n\n### [Viktor Orbán's last stand, and the future of Europe's far right with Ivan Krastev](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/podcast\/gzero-world-podcast\/viktor-orban-s-last-stand-and-the-future-of-europe-s-far-right-with-ivan-krastev)\nApr 04, 2026\n\n## Discover More\nAfghanistan has been America's longest war — by a long shot. In today's dollars (adjusted for inflation) it's also the third most expensive US foreign war ever, surpassed only by Iraq and World War II. Yet, nearly 20 years of American boots on the ground and over \\$2 trillion spent have failed to prevent the unfolding catastrophe as the last US troops leave Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the human toll has been enormous: over 3 million Afghans have been displaced, and tens of thousands of Afghan security forces and US military personnel and contractors have been killed in a war that's come full circle, with the Taliban now in charge once again. We take a look at some of the economic and human costs of two decades of US military involvement in Afghanistan.\n\nFrom Your Site Articles\n\n- [The Graphic Truth: Whose troops are still in Afghanistan? - GZERO Media ›](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-graphic-truth-whose-troops-are-still-in-afghanistan)\n- [Taliban, Afghan people face economic collapse, says former central bank chief - GZERO Media ›](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-clips\/taliban-afghan-people-face-economic-collapse-says-former-central-bank-chief)\n- [China and US economic interdependence hasn't lessened - GZERO Media ›](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ask-ian\/china-us-economic-interdependence-hasnt-lessened)\n- [China and US economic interdependence hasn't lessened - GZERO Media ›](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ask-ian\/china-us-economic-interdependence-hasnt-lessened)\n- [Geopolitical fallout over US exit from Afghanistan less than feared - GZERO Media ›](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/viewpoint\/geopolitical-fallout-over-us-exit-from-afghanistan-less-than-feared)\n- [Afghanistan, 2021: Afghan & US military perspectives as the last soldier leaves - GZERO Media ›](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-with-ian-bremmer\/afghanistan-2021-afghan-us-military-perspectives-as-the-last-soldier-leaves)\n- [NATO's darkest chapter: Afghanistan withdrawal (in contrast to unity supporting Ukraine) - GZERO Media ›](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-clips\/natos-darkest-chapter-afghanistan-withdrawal-contrast-to-unity-supporting-ukraine)\n- [Rory Stewart explains why Afghanistan could become a new hotbed for global terrorism - GZERO Media ›](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-clips\/rory-stewart-explains-why-afghanistan-could-become-a-new-hotbed-for-global-terrorism)\n\n## More For You\n### [US defense spending vs. the world](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/us-defense-spending-vs-everyone-else)\n[Natalie Johnson](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/natalie-johnson)\n\nApr 06, 2026\n\n[![Top defense budgets globally compared the US](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/us-defense-spending-vs-everyone-else)\n\nTop defense budgets globally compared the US\n\nNatalie Johnson\n\nChina has boosted its defense spending 13-fold over the past three decades, modernizing its weapons and military into a force capable of operating beyond its borders. The buildup isn’t happening in isolation. Military spending in the Middle East climbed to 4.3% of the region’s GDP last year, up from 3.5% in 2022, driven in part by Israel after the \\[...\\]\n\n[Microsoft](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/microsoftontheissues)\n\n### [Tools and Weapons: In Conversation with Ryan Roslansky](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/sponsored-posts\/tools-and-weapons-in-conversation-with-ryan-roslansky-msft-040826)\nApr 07, 2026\n\n[![Brad Smith sitting with Ryan Roslansky and talking with a tools and weapons with Brad Smith logo in the background](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/sponsored-posts\/tools-and-weapons-in-conversation-with-ryan-roslansky-msft-040826)\n\n[Microsoft](https:\/\/rebrand.ly\/59825b)\n\nIn this new episode of Tools and Weapons, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits down with Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn and EVP at Microsoft, for a timely conversation on how AI is reshaping the world of work. Drawing on insights from his new book, Open to Work, they explore how rethinking jobs as collections of tasks and treating skills as currency can help people, organizations, and economies adapt to a rapidly changing labor market.\n\nWatch the episode [here](https:\/\/rebrand.ly\/59825b).\n\n## Most Popular\n[Subscribe](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/subscribe\/)\n\n### [Thanks for subscribing to GZERO's newsletters\\!](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/subscribe\/thanks-for-subscribing-to-gzeros-newsletters)\n[GZERO Staff](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/gzeromedia)\n\nDec 13, 2023\n\n[![Russia’s two main oil export locations that have come under attack account for more than 40% the country’s seaborne crude export capacity.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/hard-numbers\/hard-number-ukraine-rips-into-russias-oil-windfall)\n\n[Hard Numbers](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/hard-numbers\/)\n\n### [Hard number: Ukraine rips into Russia’s oil windfall](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/hard-numbers\/hard-number-ukraine-rips-into-russias-oil-windfall)\n[Natalie Johnson](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/natalie-johnson)\n\nApr 07, 2026\n\n[![Russian President Vladimir Putin ](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/analysis\/is-putin-still-soviet-wrong-question)\n\n[Analysis](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/analysis\/)\n\n### [Is Putin still Soviet? Wrong question](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/analysis\/is-putin-still-soviet-wrong-question)\n[Alex Kliment](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/alexkliment)\n\n[Willis Sparks](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/willis-sparks)\n\nDec 28, 2021\n\n[![Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the People's Palace in Damascus, Syria, on April 5, 2026. ](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/watching\/syria-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-ukraine-migrants-missing-in-mediterranean-new-international-security-force-to-haiti)\n\n[What We're Watching](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/watching\/)\n\n### [Syria rolls out the red carpet for Ukraine, Migrants missing in Mediterranean, New international security force to Haiti](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/watching\/syria-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-ukraine-migrants-missing-in-mediterranean-new-international-security-force-to-haiti)\n[Riley Callanan](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/rileycallanan)\n\n[Alex Kliment](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/alexkliment)\n\nApr 06, 2026\n\n[![The Graphic Truth: Who fits in China? Chinese provinces shown as a country of similar population size](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-graphic-truth-who-fits-in-china)\n\n[Graphic Truth](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/)\n\n### [The Graphic Truth: Who fits in China?](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-graphic-truth-who-fits-in-china)\n[Carlos Santamaria](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/carlossantamaria)\n\n[Ari Winkleman](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/ariwinkleman)\n\nJan 27, 2021\n\n[![Deportation numbers under US presidents 2000-2025.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/graphic-truth-deportation-nation)\n\n[Graphic Truth](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/)\n\n### [Graphic Truth: Deportation Nation](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/graphic-truth-deportation-nation)\n[Riley Callanan](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/rileycallanan)\n\n[Paige Fusco](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/paigefusco)\n\nJun 18, 2025\n\n### [Where US tariffs stand one year after Liberation Day](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/where-us-tariffs-stand-one-year-after-liberation-day)\n[Riley Callanan](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/rileycallanan)\n\n[Natalie Johnson](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/natalie-johnson)\n\n[Eileen Zhang](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/eileen-zhang)\n\nApr 02, 2026\n\n[![Where US tariffs stand one year after Liberation Day](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/where-us-tariffs-stand-one-year-after-liberation-day)\n\nWhere US tariffs stand one year after Liberation Day\n\nNatalie Johnson, Eileen Zhang\n\nUS President Donald Trump rattled the global economy when he announced tariffs on around 90 countries on “Liberation Day” one year ago today, but probably not in the way either supporters or critics first imagined. At its peak, the tariffs the US imposed were the highest in nearly a century, yet tariffs haven’t broken the global economy. They \\[...\\]\n\n### [Who’s protesting in 2026?](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/whos-protesting-in-2026)\n[Riley Callanan](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/rileycallanan)\n\n[Natalie Johnson](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/natalie-johnson)\n\nMar 30, 2026\n\n[![Who’s protesting in 2026?](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/whos-protesting-in-2026)\n\nTop ten countries with the most protests in 2026.\n\nNatalie Johnson\n\nThis weekend, “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration occurred across the United States, drawing an estimated 8 million people across more than 3,300 events from the Alaskan Arctic to Puerto Rico. The movement is backed by a patchwork of progressive groups in the US. \\[...\\]\n\n### [Where the US is cutting deals in Africa](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/where-the-us-is-cutting-deals-in-africa)\n[Riley Callanan](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/rileycallanan)\n\n[Natalie Johnson](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/u\/natalie-johnson)\n\nMar 23, 2026\n\n[![Map of countries in Africa that have cur deals with the US after USAID defunding. ](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/where-the-us-is-cutting-deals-in-africa)\n\nMap of countries in Africa that have cur deals with the US after USAID defunding.\n\nNatalie Johnson\n\nSince his return to the White House last year, President Donald Trump has systematically gutted USAID, the government agency that oversees US efforts to improve health and education and fight poverty around the world. Most contracts were canceled, its budget was cut, and what was left of the agency’s functions were folded into the State \\[...\\]\n\nLoad More\n\n[ABOUT](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/about-gzero)[About GZERO Media](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/about-gzero)[Media Kit](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-kit)[Events](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/events)[Careers](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/careers)\n\n[CONTACT](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/contact-us)[Contact Us](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/contact-us)[Press](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/press)\n\n[NEWSLETTERS](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/subscribe)[GZERO Daily](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/subscribe)[GZERO Daily by Ian Bremmer](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/subscribe)\n\nFOLLOW\n\n[![GZERO Media](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 0 0'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/)\n\n[Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.eurasiagroup.net\/legal-notices)[Accessibility](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/accessibility)[Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.eurasiagroup.net\/terms-of-use) [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/contact-us)\n\n© 2026 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved \\| A Eurasia Group company.\n\n### GZERO Daily: our free newsletter about global politics\nKeep up with what’s going on around the world - and why it matters.\n\n[Sign Up](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/subscribe)\n\n![](https:\/\/sb.scorecardresearch.com\/p?cv=2.0&cj=1&c1=2&c2=36881359&c6=Graphic%20Truth&c8=The%20Graphic%20Truth:%20Was%20the%20US%20war%20in%20Afghanistan%20worth%20it?&cs_fpid=&cs_fpit=lo)","attrs_readable_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/the-graphic-truth-was-the-us-war-in-afghanistan-worth-it#site-content)\n\nSearch\n\nHuman content, **AI powered** search.\n\nLatest Stories\n\n### Sign up for GZERO Daily.\nGet our latest updates and insights delivered to your inbox.\n\nEnter your email\n\nPuppet Regime is up for a Webby Award! [VOTE HERE](https:\/\/wbby.co\/58950N)\n\n1. [Graphic Truth](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/)\n\nCarlos Santamaria\n\nCarlos Santamaria is a former senior writer at GZERO.\n\nPaige Fusco\n\nPaige Fusco is a graphic designer creating visualizations - data-driven and otherwise - for Eurasia Group and GZERO Media.\n\nAugust 16, 2021\n\nAfghanistan has been America's longest war — by a long shot. In today's dollars (adjusted for inflation) it's also the third most expensive US foreign war ever, surpassed only by Iraq and World War II. Yet, nearly 20 years of American boots on the ground and over \\$2 trillion spent have failed to prevent the unfolding catastrophe as the last US troops leave Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the human toll has been enormous: over 3 million Afghans have been displaced, and tens of thousands of Afghan security forces and US military personnel and contractors have been killed in a war that's come full circle, with the Taliban now in charge once again. We take a look at some of the economic and human costs of two decades of US military involvement in Afghanistan.\n\n## Latest Videos\n[![How Viktor Orbán went from pro-democratic dissident to authoritarian strongman](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/youtube.jpg?id=65476422&width=1245&height=700&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C45%2C0%2C45)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-with-ian-bremmer\/how-viktor-orban-went-from-pro-democratic-dissident-to-authoritarian-strongman)\n\n[![Trump’s ceasefire deal with Iran](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/youtube.jpg?id=65493010&width=1245&height=700&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ask-ian\/trumps-ceasefire-deal-with-iran)\n\n[![Why Orbán's real patron isn't Trump](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/youtube.jpg?id=65493916&width=1245&height=700&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/gzero-world-clips\/why-orban-s-real-patron-isn-t-trump)\n\n[![Who’s negotiating with Iran to keep trade moving?](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/youtube.jpg?id=65476637&width=1245&height=700&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/quick-take\/whos-negotiating-with-iran-to-keep-trade-moving)\n\n[![How Hungary's Orbán built his empire, and why it's cracking](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/youtube.jpg?id=65476509&width=1245&height=700&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/video\/ian-explains\/how-hungary-s-orban-built-his-empire-and-why-it-s-cracking)\n\n## Related\n[![Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest, Hungary, on March 23, 2026.](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/hungarian-prime-minister-viktor-orban-in-budapest-hungary-on-march-23-2026.jpg?id=65504546&width=1245&height=700&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/watching\/hungarys-orban-faces-judgement-day-peru-to-hold-another-presidential-election-cubas-leader-isnt-quitting)\n\n## More For You\nIn this new episode of Tools and Weapons, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits down with Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn and EVP at Microsoft, for a timely conversation on how AI is reshaping the world of work. Drawing on insights from his new book, Open to Work, they explore how rethinking jobs as collections of tasks and treating skills as currency can help people, organizations, and economies adapt to a rapidly changing labor market.\n\nWatch the episode [here](https:\/\/rebrand.ly\/59825b).\n\n## Most Popular\n[![Russia’s two main oil export locations that have come under attack account for more than 40% the country’s seaborne crude export capacity.](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/russias-two-main-oil-export-locations-that-have-come-under-attack-account-for-more-than-40-the-countrys-seaborne-crude-expor.png?id=65487118&width=1245&height=700&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/hard-numbers\/hard-number-ukraine-rips-into-russias-oil-windfall)\n\n[![Russian President Vladimir Putin ](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/russian-president-vladimir-putin.jpg?id=28338449&width=1245&height=700&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C37%2C0%2C313)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/analysis\/is-putin-still-soviet-wrong-question)\n\n[![Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the People's Palace in Damascus, Syria, on April 5, 2026. ](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/syrian-president-ahmad-al-sharaa-receives-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelenskyy-at-the-people-s-palace-in-damascus-syria-on.jpg?id=65476551&width=1245&height=700&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/news\/watching\/syria-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-ukraine-migrants-missing-in-mediterranean-new-international-security-force-to-haiti)\n\n[![Deportation numbers under US presidents 2000-2025.](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/media-library\/deportation-numbers-under-us-presidents-2000-2025.png?id=61069735&width=1245&height=700&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C520%2C0%2C520)](https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/graphic-truth\/graphic-truth-deportation-nation)\n\nLoad More","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Skip to content Search Human content, AI powered search. Latest Stories Sign up for GZERO Daily. Get our latest updates and insights delivered to your inbox. Enter your email Puppet Regime is up for a Webby Award! VOTE HERE Graphic Truth Carlos Santamaria Carlos Santamaria is a former senior writer at GZERO. Paige Fusco Paige Fusco is a graphic designer creating visualizations - data-driven and otherwise - for Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. August 16, 2021 Afghanistan has been America's longest war — by a long shot. In today's dollars (adjusted for inflation) it's also the third most expensive US foreign war ever, surpassed only by Iraq and World War II. Yet, nearly 20 years of American boots on the ground and over $2 trillion spent have failed to prevent the unfolding catastrophe as the last US troops leave Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the human toll has been enormous: over 3 million Afghans have been displaced, and tens of thousands of Afghan security forces and US military personnel and contractors have been killed in a war that's come full circle, with the Taliban now in charge once again. We take a look at some of the economic and human costs of two decades of US military involvement in Afghanistan. Latest Videos Related More For You In this new episode of Tools and Weapons, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits down with Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn and EVP at Microsoft, for a timely conversation on how AI is reshaping the world of work. Drawing on insights from his new book, Open to Work, they explore how rethinking jobs as collections of tasks and treating skills as currency can help people, organizations, and economies adapt to a rapidly changing labor market. Watch the episode here . Most Popular Load More
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Get our latest updates and insights delivered to your inbox. Enter your email Sign Up Puppet Regime is up for a Webby Award! [VOTE HERE](https://wbby.co/58950N) 1. [Graphic Truth](https://www.gzeromedia.com/graphic-truth/) \> [Graphic Truth](https://www.gzeromedia.com/graphic-truth/) # The Graphic Truth: Was the US war in Afghanistan worth it? ![The Graphic Truth: Was the US war in Afghanistan worth it?](https://www.gzeromedia.com/media-library/the-graphic-truth-was-the-us-war-in-afghanistan-worth-it.png?id=27238941&width=1200&height=1074&quality=55&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0) Paige Fusco By [Carlos Santamaria](https://www.gzeromedia.com/u/carlossantamaria), Carlos Santamaria Carlos Santamaria is a former senior writer at GZERO. [See Full Bio](https://www.gzeromedia.com/u/carlossantamaria) [Paige Fusco](https://www.gzeromedia.com/u/paigefusco) Paige Fusco Paige Fusco is a graphic designer creating visualizations - data-driven and otherwise - for Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. [See Full Bio](https://www.gzeromedia.com/u/paigefusco) August 16, 2021 Trending Stories [![Top defense budgets globally compared the US](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C/svg%3E>)](https://www.gzeromedia.com/graphic-truth/us-defense-spending-vs-everyone-else) ### [US defense spending vs. the world](https://www.gzeromedia.com/graphic-truth/us-defense-spending-vs-everyone-else) [![The Graphic Truth: China's "Paramount Leaders" ](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C/svg%3E>)](https://www.gzeromedia.com/the-graphic-truth-china-s-paramount-leaders) ### [The Graphic Truth: China's "Paramount Leaders"](https://www.gzeromedia.com/the-graphic-truth-china-s-paramount-leaders) [![Comparative maps showing which countries had official diplomatic ties with Taiwan just before the UN recognized the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1971 to today.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C/svg%3E>)](https://www.gzeromedia.com/the-graphic-truth-taiwan-s-shrinking-recognition) ### [The Graphic Truth: Taiwan's shrinking recognition](https://www.gzeromedia.com/the-graphic-truth-taiwan-s-shrinking-recognition) [![Graphic Truth: Most successful ice hockey teams](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C/svg%3E>)](https://www.gzeromedia.com/gzero-north/graphic-truth-most-successful-ice-hockey-teams) ### [Graphic Truth: Most successful ice hockey teams](https://www.gzeromedia.com/gzero-north/graphic-truth-most-successful-ice-hockey-teams) [![Graphic Truth: Military might, Canada vs. US](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C/svg%3E>)](https://www.gzeromedia.com/gzero-north/graphic-truth-military-might-canada-vs-us) ### [Graphic Truth: Military might, Canada vs. US](https://www.gzeromedia.com/gzero-north/graphic-truth-military-might-canada-vs-us) [![A graph showing the value of the British pound against the US dollar (2000- Oct 2022)](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3C/svg%3E>)](https://www.gzeromedia.com/graphic-truth/the-graphic-truth-the-tumbling-british-pound) ### [The Graphic Truth: The tumbling British pound](https://www.gzeromedia.com/graphic-truth/the-graphic-truth-the-tumbling-british-pound) Afghanistan has been America's longest war — by a long shot. In today's dollars (adjusted for inflation) it's also the third most expensive US foreign war ever, surpassed only by Iraq and World War II. Yet, nearly 20 years of American boots on the ground and over \$2 trillion spent have failed to prevent the unfolding catastrophe as the last US troops leave Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the human toll has been enormous: over 3 million Afghans have been displaced, and tens of thousands of Afghan security forces and US military personnel and contractors have been killed in a war that's come full circle, with the Taliban now in charge once again. We take a look at some of the economic and human costs of two decades of US military involvement in Afghanistan. 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In today's dollars (adjusted for inflation) it's also the third most expensive US foreign war ever, surpassed only by Iraq and World War II. Yet, nearly 20 years of American boots on the ground and over \$2 trillion spent have failed to prevent the unfolding catastrophe as the last US troops leave Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the human toll has been enormous: over 3 million Afghans have been displaced, and tens of thousands of Afghan security forces and US military personnel and contractors have been killed in a war that's come full circle, with the Taliban now in charge once again. We take a look at some of the economic and human costs of two decades of US military involvement in Afghanistan. From Your Site Articles - [The Graphic Truth: Whose troops are still in Afghanistan? - GZERO Media ›](https://www.gzeromedia.com/the-graphic-truth-whose-troops-are-still-in-afghanistan) - [Taliban, Afghan people face economic collapse, says former central bank chief - GZERO Media ›](https://www.gzeromedia.com/video/gzero-world-clips/taliban-afghan-people-face-economic-collapse-says-former-central-bank-chief) - [China and US economic interdependence hasn't lessened - GZERO Media ›](https://www.gzeromedia.com/video/ask-ian/china-us-economic-interdependence-hasnt-lessened) - [China and US economic interdependence hasn't lessened - GZERO Media ›](https://www.gzeromedia.com/video/ask-ian/china-us-economic-interdependence-hasnt-lessened) - [Geopolitical fallout over US exit from Afghanistan less than feared - GZERO Media ›](https://www.gzeromedia.com/viewpoint/geopolitical-fallout-over-us-exit-from-afghanistan-less-than-feared) - [Afghanistan, 2021: Afghan & US military perspectives as the last soldier leaves - GZERO Media ›](https://www.gzeromedia.com/video/gzero-world-with-ian-bremmer/afghanistan-2021-afghan-us-military-perspectives-as-the-last-soldier-leaves) - [NATO's darkest chapter: Afghanistan withdrawal (in contrast to unity supporting Ukraine) - GZERO Media ›](https://www.gzeromedia.com/video/gzero-world-clips/natos-darkest-chapter-afghanistan-withdrawal-contrast-to-unity-supporting-ukraine) - [Rory Stewart explains why Afghanistan could become a new hotbed for global terrorism - GZERO Media ›](https://www.gzeromedia.com/video/gzero-world-clips/rory-stewart-explains-why-afghanistan-could-become-a-new-hotbed-for-global-terrorism) ## More For You ### [US defense spending vs. the world](https://www.gzeromedia.com/graphic-truth/us-defense-spending-vs-everyone-else) [Natalie Johnson](https://www.gzeromedia.com/u/natalie-johnson) Apr 06, 2026 [![Top defense budgets globally compared the US](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1245 700'%3E%3C/svg%3E>)](https://www.gzeromedia.com/graphic-truth/us-defense-spending-vs-everyone-else) Top defense budgets globally compared the US Natalie Johnson China has boosted its defense spending 13-fold over the past three decades, modernizing its weapons and military into a force capable of operating beyond its borders. The buildup isn’t happening in isolation. 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Readable Markdown	[Skip to content](https://www.gzeromedia.com/the-graphic-truth-was-the-us-war-in-afghanistan-worth-it#site-content) Search Human content, AI powered search. Latest Stories ### Sign up for GZERO Daily. Get our latest updates and insights delivered to your inbox. Enter your email Puppet Regime is up for a Webby Award! [VOTE HERE](https://wbby.co/58950N) 1. [Graphic Truth](https://www.gzeromedia.com/graphic-truth/) Carlos Santamaria Carlos Santamaria is a former senior writer at GZERO. Paige Fusco Paige Fusco is a graphic designer creating visualizations - data-driven and otherwise - for Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. August 16, 2021 Afghanistan has been America's longest war — by a long shot. In today's dollars (adjusted for inflation) it's also the third most expensive US foreign war ever, surpassed only by Iraq and World War II. Yet, nearly 20 years of American boots on the ground and over \$2 trillion spent have failed to prevent the unfolding catastrophe as the last US troops leave Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the human toll has been enormous: over 3 million Afghans have been displaced, and tens of thousands of Afghan security forces and US military personnel and contractors have been killed in a war that's come full circle, with the Taliban now in charge once again. 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