Between March 2003 and April 2009, the United States' war in Iraq resulted in over 4,000 American fatalities and cost around $650 billion. What do these facts suggest? A. The U.S. military can no longer successfully complete significant overseas operations. B. The Bush administration's expectations of a swift and relatively low-cost victory proved incorrect. C. The Bush administration's military budget was intended to supply just enough troops for a limited conflict. D. The U.S. military found unexpected weapons of mass destruction and suffered defeats in major battles.

B. The Bush administration's expectations of a swift and relatively low-cost victory proved incorrect.

These facts suggest that the initial projections for the war in Iraq both in terms of human cost (American fatalities) and financial expenditures were underestimated. The notion that there would be a quick and relatively inexpensive military operation did not align with the reality of the war's outcome. Such figures imply that the conflict was longer-lasting and more costly than anticipated by those who decided to initiate it.

The 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies was primarily justified by the belief that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and posed a threat to international security. However, the discovery of such weapons did not occur as expected. The length and cost of military operations can be influenced by many factors, including challenging terrain, the tenacity and tactics of the enemy, regional political dynamics and the objectives of the invading force. As a conflict drags on, the financial costs can increase significantly due to the need to support a military presence, rebuild infrastructure and address destabilization in the region. The human cost is also amplified, with an increase in casualties among military personnel and civilian populations. The U.S. experience in Iraq has been a topic of extensive analysis and debate, impacting views on foreign policy and military strategy for subsequent administrations.