During the Cold War, the United States was involved in wars, coups, and secret missions all over the world. This was all supposedly done to stop the spread of communism. But when the USSR fell and communism faded, the wars didn’t end. Instead, America found new reasons to stay involved in conflicts worldwide. From “fighting dictators” to a “war on terror,” the U.S. always seems to find new enemies.
The Business of War
War, for the U.S., isn’t just about fighting enemies—it’s about making money. The U.S. spends billions of dollars every year on defense contractors, like Lockheed Martin, who make huge profits from government contracts. The “Military-Industrial Complex” (MIC) includes all the companies that profit from war, from weapons makers to private security firms. President Eisenhower warned America about this in the 1950s, cautioning that these industries would become too powerful. In 2023, the Pentagon gave out nearly $500 billion in contracts. Companies lobby (which is a way of influencing politicians) hard to make sure they get these contracts.
This isn’t just about making weapons. U.S. military power also serves as a protector of American business interests abroad. Smedley Butler, a famous American general, admitted that he was a “gangster for capitalism,” protecting American business in countries like Mexico and China. While names of companies have changed since his time, the system hasn’t. Now, big tech firms like Google and defense giants like Lockheed have replaced the corporations Butler served. But generals don’t speak up about it anymore—they rely on these companies for lucrative jobs once they retire.
War as a Tool for Control
U.S. military power doesn’t just protect business—it also helps maintain control over other countries. America has a simple rulebook for making countries comply:
- Trade in U.S. dollars, which strengthens the American economy.
- Buy U.S. debt and weapons.
- Allow the U.S. to set up military bases on their soil.
- Open their markets to American companies.
- Follow U.S. policies and vote with America in international organizations like the United Nations.
If countries refuse to follow these rules, they often face consequences. In 2011, for example, Libya was destroyed by U.S. and NATO forces. This sent a message to other countries that going against the U.S. has serious repercussions.
While the U.S. calls many nations “allies,” these countries are more like “vassals”—states that obey orders from a stronger power. Japan, South Korea, and Germany, for example, host U.S. troops, and the U.S. has a strong say in their foreign policy. These countries are also encouraged to keep conflicts alive, which justifies the American presence. South Korea isn’t allowed to make peace with North Korea, and Germany is discouraged from working too closely with Russia.
Hybrid Wars and Economic Battles
The U.S. also engages in “hybrid wars,” which don’t always involve tanks and fighter jets. Instead, America uses tactics like sanctions, trade restrictions, and cyberattacks to pressure countries. For example, the U.S. often targets countries like China, banning its companies and technologies to try and weaken them.
There are also economic wars. The U.S. can encourage its investors to withdraw money from a country, create currency issues, or downgrade the country’s credit rating, making it harder for them to get loans. China has strict controls to protect itself from these tactics, understanding how dangerous these strategies can be.
The U.S. uses “color revolutions” (uprisings that often start out as peaceful protests) and coups to remove leaders it doesn’t like. This happened in places like Ukraine and Pakistan and almost succeeded in others. Even in India, the U.S. has shown signs of supporting separatist movements that could destabilize the country if it doesn’t align with American interests.
Life in the U.S.: Who Benefits from This Power?
All this power and influence, however, hasn’t necessarily made life better for regular Americans. Despite being the world’s wealthiest country, many Americans struggle financially. The U.S. has high levels of debt and rising costs, while a small group of elites—big corporations and wealthy families—benefit from this empire.
The empire’s future looks unstable. Countries are beginning to trade in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, weakening America’s economic power. With national debt skyrocketing, the U.S. faces a future where it might not be able to sustain its power unless it goes through a “Great Reset”—a radical change in how it handles finances and international relationships.
The Push for Global Domination
To maintain its position, America is doubling down. The U.S. sees countries like Russia, China, and Iran as threats to its global influence and is working to keep them in check. The danger here is that this constant pursuit of control could lead to more conflicts or even another world war. The U.S. seems willing to go to extreme lengths to prevent the rise of other powers, even if it means pushing the world toward dangerous instability.
A Vision for a Different Future
The American way of running the world, through military power and economic pressure, has created more chaos than peace. Rather than competing in areas like science, technology, and development, the U.S. has taken a destructive path, constantly trying to keep others from growing too strong. The hope is that other nations, like China, Russia, and India, can work together to create a more balanced global system where countries cooperate rather than fight.
In the end, America’s empire is a complex system driven by power, money, and a belief in dominance. But this approach comes at a high cost, not just for the U.S. but for the world. There’s still a chance for change, but only if America and other global players shift their priorities from war to peace, from control to cooperation.
