Billions Wasted In Iraq Reconstruction

The U.S. spent $40 million on this prison in Khan Bani Saad, which Iraq said it never wanted and which was never completed. On a smaller scale, the U.S. succeeded in transforming parks in Baghdad. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

A U.S. 'Legacy Of Waste' In Iraq -- L.A. Times

The $53-billion reconstruction effort is not without its successes. But poor planning, violence and a failure to consult Iraqis derailed many projects, which may offer lessons in Afghanistan.

Reporting from Khan Bani Saad, Iraq — The shell of a prison that will never be used rises from the desert on the edge of this dusty town north of Baghdad, a hulking monument to the wasted promise of America's massive, $53-billion reconstruction effort in Iraq.

Construction began in May 2004 at a time when U.S. money was pouring into the country. It quickly ran into huge cost overruns. Violence erupted in the area, and a manager was shot dead in his office. The Iraqi government said it didn't want or need the prison. In 2007 the project was abandoned, but only after $40 million of U.S. taxpayer money had been spent.

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Update: US wasted billions in rebuilding Iraq -- Washington Post/AP

My Comment: Only billions !?!?!?! .... how about tens upon tens of billions.