This week marked the 25th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and the start of the “Global War on Terror.”
The human, financial, and environmental costs of America’s “forever wars” have been tragic.
At least 900,000 people have been killed directly in the post-9/11 wars. Experts estimate that the total death toll including indirect causes like disease and malnutrition could exceed 4 million people.
The cost to taxpayers has been a staggering $8 trillion – money that could have made a huge impact in supporting our communities, building peace, and addressing the climate crisis.
While public attention has largely shifted to new wars and crises, these costs continue to rise as the “War on Terror” rages on in various forms today.
As FCNL’s General Secretary Bridget Moix reminded us last month, “it did not have to be this way.”
Since the outset, FCNL and our network have raised a persistent, prophetic voice of dissent for peace.
As FCNL’s Lindsay Bencick wrote about this week, this tireless witness for peace has been exemplified by two remarkable groups of advocates who have held weekly peace vigils – week after week, year after year – over the 25 years since the 9/11 attacks.
While it’s painful to take stock of the harms inflicted by these wars, our decades of collective peace advocacy has culminated in important wins and has helped lay the groundwork for a better future.
“For 25 years, fear and violence have too often driven U.S. policy,” as Bridget wrote. “We need not allow them to dictate what comes next.”
This week, FCNL’s legislative director for foreign policy Peter Quaranto co-authored an article with Leanne Erdberg Steadman outlining a forward-looking vision for an approach to the world rooted in human dignity.
As they note, the concept of inherent human dignity is widely understood across the globe, offering a powerful and practical tool to bridge divides and foster peace:
By centering dignity, we can “remind the public – and its leaders – why it is in our human interest to stem violence,” and “rebuild cooperation that creates the conditions for solving problems that no country or actor can solve alone.”
Elsewhere
Showing Up with Love, Not Fear, to Elections
FCNL’s Bridget Moix wrote in RNS this week about how our democratic system is being tested again in the lead up to the midterm elections. “President Trump’s rhetoric and actions have helped create a climate of fear, doubt and intimidation as we prepare to head to the polls. But we do not have to be cowed,” she wrote.
“How we make it through this challenge will be determined not only by our political leaders, but by ordinary people standing up to ensure that our elections remain free, fair and safe for everyone.”
Three Years Since the October 7 Attacks
This week marked three years since the horrific October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the start of the Israeli government’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians. We heard a personal reflection from former FCNL program associate for Middle East policy, Odeliya Matter, honoring the victims and reflecting on our continuing work for peace. Watch and share her powerful reflection here.
60 Years of Peace, Place, and Purpose
Join us as we celebrate 60 years of Friends Place, formerly known as William Penn House, and its legacy of hospitality, peace, civic engagement, and justice. We will gather in person at Friends Place (515 E. Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20003) at 6 p.m. on October 22, 2026, or you can catch the festivities virtually via Friends Place Instagram or Facebook.
New from FCNL
- FCNL joined faith communities across the country in a letter to Congress calling on them to reject a $1.15 trillion budget for the Pentagon and to invest in human needs.
- FCNL’s Stephen Donahoe reflected on the Trump administration’s attacks on the Kennedy Center. “In a city filled with memorials to war, death, and destruction, the Kennedy Center stands as a living memorial, honoring President Kennedy’s legacy,” he wrote, calling on our government to recommit to supporting the arts, diplomacy, foreign aid, and global health.
