Rising Iraq Costs Refuel Debate

The skyrocketing cost of the war in Iraq—where spending per month has doubled in the last 3 years—could re-energize anti-war sentiment in the next few months, the Wall Street Journal reports. It's likely to be a focus in debate over President Bush’s proposed $3 trillion budget, which includes the largest military spending plan (adjusted for inflation) since World War II.

Congress failed in earlier attempts to limit war spending, but Democrats are feeling more confident; a memo suggests criticizing President Bush for neglecting "important priorities at home after spending half a trillion dollars in Iraq." Senior military officials, meanwhile, would like to see higher spending. At 4% of GDP, one notes, the budget request is modest compared to World War II (38%), Vietnam (13%), and Korea (9%).