Brown estimates $9.65–12.07 billion for Yemen and wider Middle East operations in 2023–2025
Reporting and findings
- estimate
Linda Bilmes estimates US regional military activity from October 7, 2023 through September 2025 at $9.65–12.07 billion, including Yemen operations and Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran. This is separate from the $21.7 billion Israel military aid estimate.
- Brown University Costs of War: Military Aid and Arms Transfers to Israel, October 2023-September 2025Opening findings and operations description
- reported
Bilmes describes Trump's Operation Rough Rider campaign and his May 6, 2025 announcement suspending US air operations in Yemen, as well as the June 2025 Midnight Hammer strikes.
- Brown University Costs of War: The Cost of War with IranPages 8 and 14–15, Rough Rider ceasefire and Midnight Hammer discussion
Summary and current status
One retrospective range spanning both administrations; it includes Yemen operations and June 2025 Iran strikes.
Attributed estimate; period and accounting scope stated in each measure
People and organizations
- Donald J. TrumpPresident directing Rough Rider and Midnight Hammer during the study period
Money trail
public costBrown regional cost range: lower endpoint$9.65 billion - Estimated public spending source
- United States government
- Loss or cost borne by
- U.S. taxpayers
public costBrown regional cost range: upper endpoint$12.07 billion - Estimated public spending source
- United States government
- Loss or cost borne by
- U.S. taxpayers