While many attribute the idea that "cost" refers to financial ramifications, there are many other costs when it comes to a war that impacts those who serve and their families back home. Many long-lasting issues impact those coming back from war. For example, during the Iraq war, 5,300 schools were forced to convert to shelters due to the mass destruction in the surrounding areas (“Millions of Children Deprived of Education in War-torn Iraq, Says UNICEF”).   In addition, common methods of warfare such as bombing, traps, and many others caused severe damage to the infrastructure and population of the countries involved. 

The costs of the war between Iraq and the United States ranged from the millions of lives that were lost in both countries to the millions of dollars on both sides that were spent on equipment.  

The costs each country suffered in this war came in very different forms. Iraq is left with an inadequate government, riddled with corruption and religious divide (Hamasaeed and Nada). Protests against the government that the United States had helped to instate only led to more violence and death (Hamasaeed and Nada). The effect of the war on the United States is not as devastating physically, but is still apparent. Many allies of the United States are alienated, and many Americans lose trust in their government, with 62% of all U.S. adults believing that the war was not worth fighting (Doherty and Kiley). Finally, the casualties suffered by both sides greatly effect society as a whole. 

The Iraq War caused political division in Iraq, and worsened the relationship between civilian and government in United States.

It is easy to look at the result of the Iraq war and think, of course, this was beneficial, we removed a terrible dictator from power. It is also easy to look at civilian casualties and economic ruin left in the war's wake and say no, nothing can justify this. The issue is full of nuance and can never be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." War can certainly lead to beneficial outcomes, for example, the new government of Iraq is democratic and represents the demographic majority sect of Islam, rather than the minority. However, it leads to generations of trauma, civil instability, and loss of life, and perpetuated the cycle of conflict. 

The question becomes not can war be beneficial, but rather can war's benefits outweigh the cost? For Iraq, the answer will be different depending on your morals and values.