WASHINGTON, D.C. Oct. 12 (DPI) – Leave it to the CIA Factbook to reveal a curious and ironic coincidence: The US and Iraq share a not-so-impressive GDP growth rate of 2.4%.

The CIA Factbook, which publishes economic data and research on nations throughout the globe, pops up frequently in online searches related to global economic data. Its information, while rarely cited by journalists, is regarded to be as credible and accurate as any source available.  It is cited frequently by policy wonks such as PhD economists employed by academic institutions and think tanks.

https://www.cia.gov/Library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2003rank.html

While no one is likely to pick up on the fact that the US (2015 GDP $17.9 trillion based on PPP) and Iraq ($544 billion) shared the same tepid growth rate in 2015 (the last year measured),  it’s notable given that the US spent about $1.7 trillion on the 2003 invasion and its aftermath. That cost doesn’t include another $450 billion in benefits that the US is paying on behalf of military veterans of that conflict.