Rerun:The War Drug: Side Effects Are Guaranteed

Seemed like a good time to share this article again

Originally posted on March 9, 2026

Right after the recent Iranian war started, I wrote this and interestingly, it seems to be fitting today….

I just finished a walk with a friend who is part of a military family who tragically lost her brother in Viet Nam.

The story was deeply disturbing.

Jetta shared that her brother was excited to be a soldier and was glad to be drafted. He “believed in the cause.” The first letter he sent home shared that most of the young men sent were excited and seemed invincible. As soon as they landed “in country”, everything began to change.

The subtext of his letters were laced with terror.

He shared deep regret for hurting civilians. Killing families. The risk of biological warfare was everywhere. He witnessed a suicide.

His letters were of course in direct opposition with the way western media was depicting all of the “successful missions.” Back then, few Americans were brave enough to object.

After a year of disturbing notes from him, the dreaded call from the army came and the family was devastated. It is hard to rebuild a life and family after that.

Her story was profoundly sad and so very prescient.

The inhumanity, the devastation, the cruelty and the mental health side effects of war are guaranteed.

Of course it made me tear up and reflect as I made my way home.

Every time I’ve read about the costs of war, all experts agree that while war is largely unpredictable, the following issues are quite predictable when we go into any war:

✅ Costs more than estimated and lasts longer than predicted

✅ Kills more civilians than anticipated and creates more enemies than it eliminates

✅ Enriches the defense industry dramatically while creating economic downturns here

✅ Leaves environmental destruction

✅ Traumatizes generations and dramatically increases mental health issues for

Human Costs Beyond Combat Deaths 💔

Physical casualties of war are complex and exponential. The combat and noncombatant deaths are ever present and then of course the injuries often include amputations, burns and traumatic brain injuries. Service folks come home with chronic pain, mobility issues, sensory loss and devastating mental health issues.

As an example 20% of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans came home with PTSD according to the VA. Veterans Administration data also indicates that currently, the rate of substance and alcohol abuse in veterans is nearly twice that of the civilian population. The saddest of all, seventeen veterans die by suicide on average each day according the recent VA studies.

Family Destruction is unprecedented. Divorce rate is 2-3x that of the average family. Similarly, spouses and parents become unexpected caregivers of disabled veterans causing mental health, limited independence and financial strains that are lifelong challenges to bear.

What About the Civilian Populations “In-Country” Where the War Is Fought?

Often military deaths are exponential such as in the Iraq war, there was 200,000+ civilians died. There are often reports of sexual violence, child casualties and almost without fail, journalists die.

Displacement is an overriding issue. War drives people to flee and then become uncared for refugees in strange places. Often, refugees are not welcome.

Refugee camps are horrifying places for children and filled with disease, violence and exploitation. Malnutrition and birth defects become a regularity. Life expectancy plummets.

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Economic Devastation 💰

Direct war costs are explosive. Right now, the current war with Iran is costing $1.5 billion/day. It is very easy to see this becoming a multi-year war and costing trillions of dollars.

Long-term obligations are unknowable, but right now Brown University studies indicate we have $8 trillion including future obligations in costs for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

What Could Have Been Funded Instead of War?

Using Iraq War cost ($2-3 trillion direct and current):

• Could have provided universal pre-K for 50 years

• Could have made public college free for 40 years

• Could have eliminated homelessness multiple times over

• Could have rebuilt all infrastructure nationwide

• Could have funded complete renewable energy transition

Economic Resources In Times of Ware Are Diverted Away From Pivotal Programs:

• Scientific research underfunded

• Education system underinvested

• Infrastructure crumbling

• Social safety net inadequate

• Healthcare system incomplete

Racism and Xenophobia Are Inevitable and Devastating

Racism and xenophobia are guaranteed and disgusting side effects of war. Muslim Americans in post-9/11 suffered through hate crimes, discrimination and restrictions as well as surveillance.

We already have a rogue domestic army attacking black and brown folks everywhere. It also appears ICE is taking a page from one of our most despicable periods and using Japanese American internment models from the 1940s.

Our history is already built on racism and forced, inhumane migration from other countries, we don’t need wars to create more xenophobia in the world.

Environmental Destruction 🌍

Immediate war damage and landscape devastation is omnipresent. Bombing craters create permanent land damage and deforestation. Farms and food supply are damaged for decades. Urban destruction and infrastructure collapse: Water, sewage and irrigation systems are destroyed.

Burn pits are everywhere - toxic fumes from waste incineration and worse. Landmines and unexploded devices render land unusable for decades.

Terrorism and Blowback 🔄

War is highly effective at creating additional enemies and developing radicalization pipelines. Occupation and presence in the country creates motivation for revenge and resentment, which become recruiting tools for extremists and terrorists.

We have clear examples to consider from our recent past:

• Al-Qaeda recruitment: Spiked after Iraq invasion

• ISIS emergence: Direct result of Iraq War chaos

• Taliban resurgence: Strengthened during occupation

• Yemeni Al-Qaeda: U.S. drone strikes created support

• Somali Al-Shabaab: Grew during U.S. intervention

One could list 100 more side effects, this is just a starter kit for the devastating effects of war.

That said, we all know this. Nobody wants this drug known as war, right now or ever. The side effects are always unbelievably horrible.

So we keep on keep on keeping on. Keep protesting. Keep boycotting defense manufacturers/ICE related contractors. Keep calling congressional members to let them know you do not want war and they should vote against funding it.

War is a drug of choice. Let this administration know their choice was awful and must end.

Peace,

M.

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