U.S. Military Interventions: A Cycle Unbroken?
Recent actions by the United States, such as strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, ignite a perennial debate: Is America inherently predisposed to engage in war? This pattern, seemingly consistent across presidencies, warrants a deeper examination of the forces driving U.S. military interventions worldwide.
Decades of Intervention
The U.S. has executed approximately 400 military interventions globally, dating back to its inception and continuing at least through 2022. The tempo of these actions amplified in the last few decades. According to a Congressional Research Service report, 469 interventions occurred between 1798 and 2022, with more than 250 after the Cold War ended in 1991. These actions have encompassed numerous global regions, ranging from Latin America to West Asia.
The post-9/11 era has been particularly militaristic, characterized by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with continuous drone strikes, special operations, and cyber offensives. This widespread pattern does not seem to be diminishing.
Structural Factors
The roots of this behavior potentially run deeper than any president’s ideology. The U.S. maintains over 750 military bases in 80 countries and has treaty obligations to defend more than 50 nations. Alliances, such as NATO and ANZUS, contribute to this extensive network. This network creates a “structural bias” toward intervention, according to some experts.
Even Donald Trump, who campaigned on ending “endless wars,” escalated drone strikes and deployed troops during crises. He also authorized the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
Addiction or Obligation?
Critics view this as a kind of compulsive warmongering in disguise. They point to the constant cycle of U.S. military involvement from Korea and Vietnam to Grenada, Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
“America’s engagements abroad are less about aggression than deterrence.”
— Unnamed Source, Title
Supporters argue that American military power underpins global security. Recent data indicates that, in 2023, global military expenditure hit a record high, reflecting increased geopolitical tensions (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute).
The Empire’s Future
This persistent pattern is likely to continue regardless of the occupant of the White House. The fundamental question remains: Can the United States break free from its pattern of war, or is the machinery of its global empire too deeply embedded?