The Costs of War Project
@costsofwar.bsky.social
The human, budgetary, environmental, and social costs of U.S. militarism and military operations, at home and abroad. Housed at Brown University's Watson School of International and Public Affairs at costsofwar.org.
Read the analysis by Tanner Mirrlees on the militarization of social media, part of the Consuming War series. [END] costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/consum...
Consuming War: How Pop Culture Captures Our Attention and Fuels Forever Wars
This cultural analysis series showcases how, every day, Americans are inundated with cultural products promoting militarism. Consuming War papers provide case-by-case introductions to the militarizati...
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu
November 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Read the analysis by Tanner Mirrlees on the militarization of social media, part of the Consuming War series. [END] costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/consum...
The militarization of social media platforms is driven significantly by the Pentagon’s cyber-warriors, recruiters, and public affairs officers, but also by paid and unpaid online creators and influencers. [7/8]
November 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The militarization of social media platforms is driven significantly by the Pentagon’s cyber-warriors, recruiters, and public affairs officers, but also by paid and unpaid online creators and influencers. [7/8]
The Army spent $117 million in 2023 reviving its iconic “Be All You Can Be” recruitment campaign for social media platforms. By 2024, it had exceeded its recruiting target, enlisting 55,300 new soldiers. [6/8]
November 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The Army spent $117 million in 2023 reviving its iconic “Be All You Can Be” recruitment campaign for social media platforms. By 2024, it had exceeded its recruiting target, enlisting 55,300 new soldiers. [6/8]
The U.S. Cyber Command employs thousands of personnel to conduct Military Information Support Operations—commonly known as psychological operations or intentional deception campaigns. [5/8]
November 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The U.S. Cyber Command employs thousands of personnel to conduct Military Information Support Operations—commonly known as psychological operations or intentional deception campaigns. [5/8]
Additionally, large agencies within the Pentagon handle digital content creation and online distribution, while regionally focused Combatant Commands run social media “ops” within their respective regions. [4/8]
November 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Additionally, large agencies within the Pentagon handle digital content creation and online distribution, while regionally focused Combatant Commands run social media “ops” within their respective regions. [4/8]
Between 2021 and 2025, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) allocated nearly $60 million to an initiative that leveraged AI to optimize its online influence – one of many related DARPA-funded projects. [3/8]
November 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Between 2021 and 2025, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) allocated nearly $60 million to an initiative that leveraged AI to optimize its online influence – one of many related DARPA-funded projects. [3/8]
By embedding itself in the daily digital lives of billions through social media platforms, the military bypasses traditional media gatekeepers, turning its manufacture of public consent for war into an interactive military-to-civilian affair. [2/8]
November 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
By embedding itself in the daily digital lives of billions through social media platforms, the military bypasses traditional media gatekeepers, turning its manufacture of public consent for war into an interactive military-to-civilian affair. [2/8]
Read the research, “U.S. Military Aid and Arms Transfers to Israel, October 2023 – September 2025,” a joint report with @quincyinst.bsky.social written by William Hartung. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/AidToI...
November 17, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Read the research, “U.S. Military Aid and Arms Transfers to Israel, October 2023 – September 2025,” a joint report with @quincyinst.bsky.social written by William Hartung. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/AidToI...
Read the research, "Pentagon Fuel Use, Climate Change, and the Costs of War." costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/pentag...
Pentagon Fuel Use, Climate Change, and the Costs of War
The U.S. Department of Defense is the largest institutional consumer of fossil fuels in the world anda key contributor to climate change.
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu
November 13, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Read the research, "Pentagon Fuel Use, Climate Change, and the Costs of War." costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/pentag...
Read the research, “Costs of United States Military Activities in the Wider Middle East Since October 7, 2023,” by Linda Bilmes. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/WiderM...
Costs of United States Military Activities in the Wider Middle East Since October 7, 2023
In the two years since October 7, 2023, the United States has incurred significant costs in a broad set of military actions in support of U.S., Israeli, and allied interests in the wider Middle East. ...
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu
November 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Read the research, “Costs of United States Military Activities in the Wider Middle East Since October 7, 2023,” by Linda Bilmes. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/WiderM...
Read the research summary of the costs of the post-9/11 wars to service members, veterans, contractors and allies. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/costs/human/...
U.S. Military, Veterans, Contractors & Allies
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu
November 11, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Read the research summary of the costs of the post-9/11 wars to service members, veterans, contractors and allies. costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/costs/human/...
Read the research with the @stimsoncenter.bsky.social, "What You Need to Know about Pentagon and Military-Related Spending in H.R. 1." costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/HR1
What You Need to Know about Pentagon and Military-Related Spending in H.R. 1
In this issue brief, budget expert Julia Gledhill (Research Analyst, Stimson Center) examines the unprecedented military spending provisions in H.R. 1.
costsofwar.watson.brown.edu
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Read the research with the @stimsoncenter.bsky.social, "What You Need to Know about Pentagon and Military-Related Spending in H.R. 1." costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/paper/HR1