Aftermath of 9/11: Follow The Money

When the United States declared the War on Terror, the mission was sold as one of justice and national survival. What followed went far beyond boots on the ground. From Iraq to Afghanistan, from taxpayer appropriations to private contractors, from unsupervised “supplementals” to multibillion-dollar war profits. This is the untold story of how tragedy turned into commerce. Congress approved hundreds of billions in “supplemental” war funding that escaped normal budget scrutiny. Financial audits found massive gaps: for example the Government Accountability Office found that from 130 sample dollar-points, 59 couldn’t be traced to stipulated war-purposes. The total cost of the post-9/11 wars may exceed $8 trillion when you factor in long-term interest, care for veterans, and “forever-war” commitments. Why this matters: This isn’t just a history lesson, it’s about accountability, infrastructure of war, and how billions of taxpayer dollars became profit for some. If you’ve ever wondered who really pays for war, and who really profits, this episode delivers. Written and hosted by Mike Droberg. Forgotten History is a 10th Legion Pictures Production.