Hanna Homestead and Jennifer Kavanagh estimated at least $4.7 billion for Operations Southern Spear and Absolute Resolve from August 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. The partial estimate includes naval, aircraft, special operations, ancillary raid and vessel-strike costs, and excludes long-term veterans benefits.
Brown estimates at least $4.7 billion for Venezuela, Caribbean and eastern Pacific operations
Back to resultsHomestead and Kavanagh report that Trump authorized Operation Absolute Resolve after the 2025 military buildup around Venezuela.
- Date
- 2026-04-23
- Evidence status
- Attributed estimate; period and accounting scope stated in each measure
- Current status
- Attributed estimate; period and accounting scope stated in each measure
Money flows
6 matching recordsMilitarySpend estimates Iran campaign costs at $42.8 billion on September 132026-09-133 sourcesPentagon's May 2026 estimate put Iran war costs at $29 billion, excluding military construction2026-05-124 sourcesBrown estimates at least $4.7 billion for Venezuela, Caribbean and eastern Pacific operations2026-04-232 sourcesBrown records $21.7 billion in US military aid to Israel across October 2023–September 20252025-10-072 sourcesBrown estimates $9.65–12.07 billion for Yemen and wider Middle East operations in 2023–20252025-10-072 sourcesCosts of War estimates a $2.04–$2.26 billion linked U.S. operation and defense cost2025-10-07Donald J. Trumporder linked to estimated public operation and defense costOperation Midnight Hammer2 sources