The Pentagon says the average daily cost of the fight against ISIS militants has risen to $8.3 million, for a total of $580 million between Aug. 8 and Oct. 16. The new figure reflects an increase in the intensity of United States operations—meaning airstrikes—against the group in Syria and Iraq. A week ago the Pentagon had put the daily average at $7.6 million, for a total of $424 million since Aug. 8. The National Priorities Project, which tracks federal spending, estimates the cost of the operations will soon pass $1 billion.
