The Cost of bin Laden: $3 Trillion Over 15 Years JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty ImagesThe crash: The 9/11 attacks alone cost the U.S. economy $50 billion to $100 billion. Osama bin Laden cost America more than any villain, ever—which is exactly the way he wanted it. By Tim Fernholz and Jim Tankersley May 5, 2011 | 2:53 p.m. Updated: May 6, 2011 | 9:43 a.m. The most expensive public enemy in American history died Sunday from two bullets. As we mark Osama bin Laden’s death, what’s striking is how much he cost our nation—and how little we’ve gained from our fight against...
