The SMH reports that the official death toll for the September 11 attacks in 2001 is 3,021.
According to Professor Marc Herold (based on a compilation of reported deaths), between 3,125 and 3,620 civilians have died in Afghanistan between October 7 2001 and July 31 2002 as a result of the U.S. led war on terror.
The BBC reports that the official death toll from the Bali bombing was 202.
According to Iraq Body Count between 6,118 and 7,836 people have been killed in the U.S. led war on Iraq.
If we look at these major events, a simple result can be determined:
Terrorists: 3,223
The rest of the world: between 9,243 and 11,456
Up to 14,679 people have died in the past two years as a result of these conflicts (which is only a small percentage of those who die around the world each year due to wars and starvation).
Let me be clear, I am not taking sides – I am appalled by any senseless loss of life. The above figures are simply a statement of fact, as far as can be determined. Figures that can get lost in all of the emotion around the Sept 11 and Bali Bombing tragedies.
I do have one question though: Are we winning yet?