Current Key Figures About Iraq

I found this little nugget hosted on the AP wire, and it's very telling.  It really gets interesting around the Oil Production part and below.

Key figures about Iraq since the war began in March 2003

U.S. TROOP LEVELS:

September 2007: 165,000

January 2007: 137,000

CASUALTIES:

-Confirmed U.S. military deaths as of Oct. 1, 2007: 3,800

-Confirmed U.S. military wounded as of Oct. 1, 2007: 28,009

-U.S. military deaths for September 2007: 63, lowest monthly toll since June 2006.

-Deaths of civilian employees of U.S. government contractors as of June 30, 2007: 1,001.

-Iraqi civilian deaths from war-related violence: Estimated at more than 73,000, with one controversial study last year contending there were as many as 655,000. According to Associated Press figures, there were at least 988 total Iraqi deaths in September 2007, the lowest monthly toll since June 2006.

-Assassinated Iraqi academics: 332.

-Journalists killed on assignment: 112.

COST:

-Stepped-up military operations are costing about $12 billion a month, with Iraq accounting for $10 billion per month, according to congressional analysis.

-Total cost to the U.S. government so far is more than $455 billion. A January 2007 study by Linda Bilmes of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government put the total projected cost of providing medical care and disability benefits to veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan at $350 billion to $700 billion.

Right here's where I'm talking about.

OIL PRODUCTION:

-Prewar: 2.58 million barrels per day.

-Sept. 23, 2007: 2.31 million barrels per day.

ELECTRICITY:

-Prewar nationwide: 3,958 megawatts. Hours per day (estimated): four to eight.

-Sept. 18, 2007, nationwide: 5,045 megawatts. Hours per day: 11.7.

-Prewar Baghdad: 2,500 megawatts. Hours per day (estimated): 16-24.

-Sept. 18, 2007, Baghdad: Megawatts not available. Hours per day: 7.5.

- Note: Current Baghdad megawatt figures are no longer reported by the U.S. State Department's Iraq Weekly Status Report.

TELEPHONES:

-Prewar land lines: 833,000.

-March 13, 2007: 1,111,000.

-Prewar cell phones: 80,000.

-March 13, 2007: 8,720,038. Most recent numbers available.

WATER:

-Prewar: 12.9 million people had potable water.

-July 13, 2007: 15.4 million people have potable water.

SEWERAGE:

-Prewar: 6.2 million people served.

-July 13, 2007: 11.3 million people served.

INTERNAL REFUGEES:

-According to the U.N. High Commission for Refugees, at least 2.2 million people have been displaced inside Iraq.

-Iraqis have made some 19,800 asylum claims during the first six months of 2007 - a 45 percent increase compared to the previous six months, when 13,600 applications were received.

EMIGRANTS:

-Prewar: 500,000 Iraqis living abroad.

-Sept. 21, 2007: More than 2 million in neighboring countries.

So with the exception of one or two items, the comparison's are a clear picture of what's going on.  Nationwide, Iraq is doing pretty good.  Inside of Baghdad, it could be better, but it's getting better.  Just some interesting facts I'd like to share.

 

Travis

travis@rightwinglunatic.com