Research & Writing: Khwaja Kabir Ahmed
Power, interests, and war have always been intertwined in human history. Over the past two centuries, the United States has played a unique role in world wars and politics and has made military interventions in various regions of the world, which, according to the United States, were for its geopolitical, economic, and defense interests. Founded in the late eighteenth century, this country initially fought wars for its survival and the protection of its borders, but over time its military activities began to be felt all over the world.
According to the US Congressional Research Service, from 1798 to 2026, the United States has made more than four hundred military interventions in almost every region of the world, including major wars, limited military operations, air and naval strikes, drone operations, and attempts to change governments. In each era, specific political and economic objectives were driving these interventions.
In the American Revolution (1775–1783), the United States fought for independence from Great Britain and emerged as an independent nation. After independence, tensions with Great Britain continued, leading to the War of 1812. Although the war ended inconclusively, it strengthened American national identity.
In the 19th century, the United States adopted the doctrine of Manifest Destiny to expand its borders. This led to the Mexican War (1846–1848), which resulted in the annexation of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The casualties were estimated at about 40,000. The Spanish–American War (1898) changed American foreign policy and resulted in the acquisition of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. However, the independence movement in the Philippines sparked a new war, and the Philippine War, which lasted from 1899 to 1902, claimed more than 200,000 lives.
By the early 20th century, the United States had become a major world power. In World War I (1917–1918), the United States initially remained neutral, but later joined the Allied Powers, which played a significant role in ending the war. World War II (1941–1945) began after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, and in its final phase, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing about 200,000 people.
After World War II, the world was divided into two major military blocs: the United States and its allies, and the Soviet Union and its supporters. During this period, U.S. military interventions increased rapidly. In the Korean War (1950–1953), the United States supported South Korea, while North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union. The casualties were about 300,000. The Vietnam War (1955–1975) is considered one of the bloodiest wars of the Cold War. The United States fought a war against communist North Vietnam in support of the South Vietnamese government, in which about two million Vietnamese civilians and 58,000 American soldiers were killed. There were also several limited interventions, such as in Lebanon (1958), Cuba (1961), the Dominican Republic (1965), Cambodia and Laos (1970s), Grenada (1983), and Panama (1989). In Panama, President Manuel Noriega was ousted.
In the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq invaded Kuwait. The United States led a global coalition to expel Iraq from Kuwait, killing over 100,000 people. Heavy fighting occurred during relief operations in Somalia (1992–1994) and NATO conducted airstrikes in the Balkans/Kosovo (1999).
After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States declared a global war on terrorism and invaded Afghanistan. This war lasted for twenty years, in which thousands of civilians were killed and millions were displaced. In 2003, Iraq was invaded, which was based on the claim that it had weapons of mass destruction, but this claim was later proven false. More than two hundred thousand people were killed in this war. In the 21st century, drone warfare emerged in American military strategy, under which operations were carried out in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. In 2011, military operations were continued against the Gaddafi regime in Libya and since 2014, against ISIS in Syria.
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched air and missile attacks on Iran under Operation Lion’s Roar. The aim of this war was stated to be to limit Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and regional influence. Iran launched missile and drone attacks in retaliation, which affected the Strait of Hormuz and global trade. Initial reports put the death toll at 1,200+ in Iran, 11 in Israel and 8 in the US military, but these figures are preliminary and could change further.
Historically, US military interventions have killed millions and affected millions. According to the US, the primary objectives of these wars have included national security, regional balance of power, control of energy and trade routes, promotion of democratic values ​​and the fight against terrorism. However, this question should be part of the global debate: is military intervention the primary way to protect the interests of global powers?
This history spanning two centuries is not just a list of wars, but a continuous story of the evolution of global power and geopolitical strategy, and the Iran-Iraq war of 2026 has added a new and sensitive chapter to this story.
Note: All figures presented in this column are based on data from various research and international organizations such as:
Congressional Research Service – Instances of Use ofUnited States Armed Forces Abroad
Brown University – Costs of War Project
SIPRI Military Conflict Database
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP)
Encyclopaedia Britannica – History of U.S. Military Interventions
Council on Foreign Relations – U.S. Military Interventions Timeline
Compiled based on available information.
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