near 14,000 deaths shattered lives 6,800 military deaths the tens-of-thousands of US and NATO soldier casualties too 6,900 U.S. contractors near 14,000 the tens-of-thousands of US and NATO soldier casualties too See Costs of War. 6,900 U.S. contractors Watson Institute deaths near 14,000 Watson Institute 6,900 U.S. contractors 7,000 American troops near 14,000