TL;DR
Thirty days, an estimated $27 billion in U.S. military costs, oil near $100, gas near $4, five continents affected, zero congressional votes authorizing it.
MSM Perspective
CSIS and the Guardian published cost trackers; Politico reported the Pentagon's $11.3 billion estimate for the first six days; Al Jazeera questioned the $2 billion daily figure.
X Perspective
X's cost-tracker accounts are comparing the $27 billion monthly burn rate to the $109 billion sent to Ukraine over three years — and noting the pace.
The war that began on February 28 is one month old today. The numbers tell the story the narrative cannot.
The Pentagon informed Congress that the first six days cost $11.3 billion. [1] CSIS estimated the first 100 hours at $3.7 billion, or roughly $891 million per day. [2] The Guardian's interactive cost tracker, updated through March 19, estimated the cost of offensive strike munitions alone at $5.5 billion. [3] Anadolu Agency reported Saturday that CENTCOM and CSIS data put the total estimated cost at $26.74 billion through the end of the month. [4]
WTI crude settled near $99 on Friday. Brent surged to $107 on March 26 before pulling back. The national gas average stands near $4. Goldman Sachs holds its war premium estimate at $25-$32 per barrel.
Five continents have been affected. Africa faces fuel shortages. The Philippines declared an energy emergency. Cuba's grid collapsed. Indian hospitals have 15 days of helium inventory. Kansas City is preparing for a World Cup while the Hormuz Strait remains functionally blockaded.
Congress has not voted. No Authorization for Use of Military Force has been introduced. Five thousand troops arrived in the Gulf without congressional authorization. The war's cost is measured in dollars. Its legitimacy is measured in votes. One number exists. The other does not.
-- HENDRIK VAN DER BERG, Brussels