The Global Reach of U.S. Military Power

THE GLOBAL REACH OF US MILITARY POWER

From 2021 to 2023 the US had “counterterrorism” operations in 78 countries. “Counterterrorism” is in quotes because some US operations have little to do with terrorism and involve efforts to control narcotics gangsters, pro- or anti- government forces, and others deemed to be opposed to US interests.

The US “counterterrorist” operations are found in: ---nations where US forces conducted air and drone strikes against militants. There are 4 such nations and possibly a fifth: Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria and possibly Yemen. ---nations where US service members engaged in combat and detention, using force on the ground: there are 9 of these, the 5 listed above plus Cuba (Guantanamo prison), Kenya, Mali, the United Arab Emirates. 

---nations where the US conducted military exercises: there are 30 of these, including such unlikely candidates as Botswana, Belize, Chile, Ivory Coast, Uganda, and Oman.

----nations where the US trained or assisted military, police, or border patrol forces. There are 73 of these, too numerous to specify.

When we say the US has an empire or global reach, we are not just talking about economic and political influence, but we are saying that the US is in a position to sway the people who control the levers of armed power in a large part of the world. Most Americans are unaware of this and what it entails and what they are paying for.

Source: The Cost of War Project, Watson Institute, Brown University,11/23