Bad assumption
If we spend a billion dollars building infrastructure, then a billion dollars blowing it up, then another billion dollars building infrastructure (plus another billion protecting the workers from irate locals) then another billion blowing things up, what have we accomplished?
5 billion spent, a bunch of injuries, complete disruption of that area so it cannot rebuild itself, ticked off locals and lots of press releases. Some of the spent money finds its way into the pockets of the CEO of Haliburton and similar places. The work put out went to accomplish zilch of value.
I don't care how much we spend in Iraq, it won't help their economy in the long run. Nothing will until we stop dropping bombs.
Cheers,
Ben
