Libya Strikes Could Cost U.S. $1 Billion

Can the U.S. afford a war with Libya? Analysts say America has spent about $225 million so far firing Tomahawk missiles over Gaddafi’s land, and costs could ultimately balloon to $1 billion to establish and maintain a no-fly zone. Just the fighter jet that went down in Libya Tuesday could cost $150 million to replace. The Pentagon hasn’t given an official cost estimate of the intervention, and it’s paying for it from existing budgets—but at some point the Defense Department may be forced to request additional funds from Congress.