Is this a bad use of the word "just"?

Two things.

First, I'm not 100% clear on what "just how much" even means...what precisely does adding the word "just" to "how much" mean?

Second, is the bold usage of "just how much" in combination with "overstate" OK?

https://join.substack.com/p/what-does-canada-do

Regarding Iraq, the illegal invasion—which was an act of unprovoked aggression—unleashed sectarian tensions, produced ISIS, and led to all sorts of hideous and horrifying bloodshed. The entire region was doused in blood and destabilized—it’s very difficult to overstate just how much damage the aggression has done and continues to do.

10/27/229:56 AM

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Gustavo, Co-ModeratorProfessor of Legal and Financial Translation

Hi, Andrew,

@Andrew Van Wagner posted:
it’s very difficult to overstate just how much damage the aggression has done and continues to do.

I interpret "just how much damage" as meaning "exactly how much damage." That said, I don't think "overstate" works finely there — "state" definitely would. In my opinion, you should either say "overstate how much damage" (meaning: overstate all the damage) or "state just how much damage."

10/28/226:33 PM

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Andrew Van WagnerMember

Thanks!

1: I guess that "just" should be deleted then, since the meaning of "exactly" was never intended. Right?

2: I agree that "overstate how much damage" captures the intended meaning.

10/28/226:40 PM

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