U.S. soldiers fire mortars in Iraq

U.S. dependence on foreign energy leaves our economy dangerously vulnerable to any interruption.  Our government leaders recognize this and are willing to wage war to protect our energy interests.  Some costs of our middle east wars -

Iraq
   -  coalition soldiers lives (as of today, 3,446 including 3,188 Americans);
   -  reported Iraqi civilian deaths (depending on your source either over 600,000 (New York Times article) or over 58,000 (iraqbodycount.net));
   -  loss of limbs and other wounds (physical and mental);
   -  dollars (over $407 billion and climbing).

Gulf War
  ** Our involvement was dictated by our energy interests.  Compare this to
  our lack of involvement in African conflicts (where oil is not at stake). **
   -  coalition soldiers lives (estimated over 350)
   -  Iraqi civilian deaths (estimated 2,300)
   -  loss of limbs and other wounds (physical and mental);
   -  dollars ($61 billion).