The US rebuilding effort in Iraq achieved little despite $60bn (£40bn) spent since the 2003 invasion. The inspector general for Iraq reconstruction estimated the US wasted at least $8bn. The “limited positive effects” was due  to corruption, poor security and insufficient consultation with Iraqi authorities. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21692031 The eight-year war in Iraq cost the US about $800bn. “The general belief across each group is that the relief and reconstruction programme should have accomplished more, that too much was wasted. The US-funded rebuilding programme “could have brought great change in Iraq” but fell short. The US has already spent about $90bn on reconstruction in Afghanistan over the course of a 12-year military campaign.