What are the hidden costs of fighting a war? Certainly, there are obvious costs that everyone hears about, on the evening news, like the number of our soldiers killed so far, military weapons contracts, humanitarian aid programs, etc., but the hidden costs of a prolonged war, are staggering. Government spokespersons have weasel-words that they use, when forced to comment on facts that might prove to be embarrassing, or anger the electorate.(Voters) Words like, “collateral damage, pacification,... Sign in to see full entry.