Where did the $5tn spent on Afghanistan and Iraq go? Here’s where | Linda J Bilmes

Private military contractors outnumbered US troops on the ground during most of both conflicts. And defense industry stocks soared

While Washington bickers about what, if anything, has been achieved after 20 years and nearly $5tn spent on forever wars", there is one clear winner: the US defense industry.

Related: Blacklisting' terrorist groups: the post-9/11 strategy that only serves to prolong wars | Sophie Haspeslagh