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What leads you to believe $12B includes normal things that would be spent regardless? The source of that quote makes no such claim. They have every incentive to quote as low a price as they can reasonably defend, and it would be very easy to defend a quote that only includes new and additional expenses that are directly attributed to the war.

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The $12B figure[1] is almost exclusively munitions used so far. The US didn't buy munitions and use them, they already had them.

The cost reports (updated as the conflict goes on) will also include payroll, fuel, food, supplies, etc. Everything needed to conduct the war - but much of that is already spent even if not at war.

[1] - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kevin-hassett-national-economic...

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