How the Iran War Could Cost the US $38 Billion

That is an enormous number. What is included in that total?

Mainly the direct costs of the campaign that began on February 28. The biggest part of the spending is on munitions.

The budget office says it used public information because the Pentagon did not cooperate with the analysis.

So even the first bill is huge, and the full picture may still grow.

Yes. The office also expects another $2 billion to $3 billion a month if the fighting continues.

So this is not a one-time cost. It is a continuing drain on public money.

And the report links that to everyday life as well, not just military spending.

Exactly. It says the war is likely to push inflation higher for American households.

It could add about half a percentage point early next year.

Half a point may sound small, but for families already under pressure, it matters.

It does. The report connects that pressure to supply problems in the Middle East and to higher energy costs.

In plain terms, the war is not only a battlefield issue. It is also shaping what people pay at the shop and at home.

What about the military side? The report sounds worried there too.

Very worried. It says U.S. weapons stocks have been badly depleted, especially missiles and air defense weapons.

The office warns it could take a half decade or longer to rebuild them.

That could weaken the Pentagon if another major conflict breaks out.

So the cost is financial now, but also strategic for the future.

That is the key point. The report suggests wars can leave a long shadow.

Less money, higher prices, and fewer weapons ready for the next crisis.

Thanks, Jack.

Algeria is facing strong criticism over new death penalty plans after wildfires.

Now we go to Sophie, our LinguaWire correspondent for justice.

Thanks, Daniel. The pressure is growing after President Abdelmadjid Tebboune moved to make wildfire arson a capital crime.

What did the rights group ask the government to do?

Amnesty International called on Algeria to drop the plans and stop executions entirely.

It said the government should not expand capital punishment just after the fires. Those fires killed at least 12 people and injured 54 others last month.

So the timing is part of the criticism, not just the law itself.

Yes. The group says the wildfires were used to push a tougher political line.

It also says the authorities arrested 20 people between July 26 and September 10, while investigating arson and subversion.

That last word, subversion, sounds broad. Is that part of why people are worried?

Exactly. Critics fear broad charges can be used against political opponents, not only against people suspected of starting fires.

Amnesty said the proposed law could be used to suppress domestic opposition.

And Algeria has not used the death penalty for a long time, right?

That is right. The country has not carried out an execution in more than 30 years.

So the move would be a major shift, not a small legal change.

The government is also linking this to child abduction and abuse, according to the president.

Yes, Tebboune said the law could also cover child abductors and abusers.

He also said anyone sentenced to death could appeal before execution.

And the rights group says the bigger issue is what caused the fires in the first place.

Exactly. It says the real issue is the root cause of the fires.

It points especially to climate conditions, not just punishment after the fact.

Thanks, Sophie.

Let’s look at three words from the second story.

arson

Arson means the crime of starting a fire on purpose. It was used in the story in “wildfire arson.” Example: The police are investigating possible arson near the school.

appeal

Appeal means to ask a higher court to look at a decision again. It was used in the story in “could appeal before execution.” Example: The family plans to appeal the ruling.

opposition

Opposition means the people or groups that challenge the government. It was used in the story in “domestic opposition.” Example: The opposition criticized the new tax plan.

Now let’s look at one grammar pattern.

Could take a half decade or longer

Use could with a base verb. It shows possibility or something that may happen, be true, or be possible.

It could take a half decade or longer.

The repairs could cost more than expected.

Repeat after me: could take a half decade or longer