Hightower Lowdown

On the last day of June, the U.S. commander in Iraq transferred military authority to the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who held a day of national celebration. Then, America skedaddled. There was no "mission accomplished" moment, even though 4,300 American troops gave their lives for the mission--and things are still a big mess over there, both militarily and politically--but at least we're through with it.

Only...we're not. First, only about 30,000 of America's soldiers in Iraq have actually left, and the Pentagon says it plans to keep 50,000 troops stationed there for years to come.

Then there's the little matter of being stuck with the bill. Rather than paying for the war as we went, George W and Congress put the whole thing on the nation's credit card. According to two top economic analysts, Linda Bilmes and Joseph Stiglitz, the direct tab for that war is already at a trillion dollars. Add on the interest payments on the war debt, replenishment of military equipment, and long-term care for the 80,000 troops who've been wounded or traumatized, and the bill comes to some $3 trillion. We won't be "through" with Iraq for generations to come.

Meanwhile, after our military machine was diverted to Iraq in 2003, Afghanistan's Taliban was free to grow stronger than ever. Obama and Congress have committed about 60,000 U.S. troops and $24 billion this year to the carnage in that harsh land.

It's a hell of a price to pay for...well , for what, exactly?