The US has extreme FOMO

Majidah Chowdhury, BA International Relations 09/12/2024

It seems as though every time we hear about global events, whether that be conflict, trade wars or national politics, the US is somehow always mentioned. Acting hardly ever in a minor role, but rather as a significant agent, their involvement in international affairs typically exacerbates the circumstances. This is evident through weapon exportation, indirect presence in regional conflicts, and failed interventions. While it can be argued that these actions stem from seemingly 'good intentions,' they ultimately serve the country's own national interests.

The US’s unwavering support for Israel can be seen in their loyal commitment to sending arms to the state while they relentlessly continue their offensive in Gaza, even as civilian death tolls reach over 40,000. From October 7th 2023 to September 2024, a total of $17.9 billion had been sent to Israel in the form of military aid. While this support may stem from a belief in Israel's ‘right to defend itself’, it also offers significant economic benefits to the US through arms exports. Over the past year, Boeing has accelerated military deliveries to Israel, supplying 1,000 small diameter bombs and 1,800 Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, which have substantially boosted the company’s revenue. Further benefits can be seen in other US companies, where RTX, the largest manufacturer of guided missiles, provides Israel with air-to-surface missiles and engines for its F-15 and F-16 aircraft. This highlights how the US’s involvement in conflicts across the world aids the country in increasing its income. 

Furthermore, the US is dedicated to ensuring that Israel maintains a "Qualitative Military Edge" over other countries in the Middle East. To support this goal, Israel is the only nation in the region that operates the latest US combat aircraft, the F-35. When major military agreements are reached with other regional states, they usually result in deals that provide Israel with additional equipment to maintain its advantage. This allows the US to have a military base in the Middle East, where they can assert dominance in the region, indirectly deterring threats from their long-time adversary, Iran. 

US humanitarian interventions in the Global South have often exacerbated political and economic instability, with Iraq in 2003 serving as a prominent example. While the US-led invasion successfully removed Saddam Hussein, it triggered sectarian violence, prolonged conflict, and the emergence of insurgent groups. Additionally, US economic policies—such as deregulation and privatisation—further destabilised the country, leading to high unemployment and rampant corruption. This outcome reflects a significant misunderstanding of Iraq’s existing political structures and their impact on societal dynamics. Although the US advocates for democratic reforms and human rights, these efforts can often be perceived as an imposition of American values. Furthermore, the invasion's legitimacy was severely undermined when weapons of mass destruction were never found, which damaged US credibility on the global stage. The US, as a result, definitely does not act as ‘world police’ but instead simply uses that image to justify invasions of the third world. 

The intervention in Somalia began with the aim of alleviating the suffering caused by famine and poverty but escalated into armed conflict. The mission’s evolution into a complex peacekeeping operation revealed a lack of clear objectives. US troops became heavily involved in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993, which resulted in significant casualties on all sides. This led to a hasty withdrawal of US forces, further destabilising the region amid ongoing civil war. US hegemony is dangerous to the rest of the world, as the nation creates its own standards on what is internationally acceptable, as well as avoiding accountability regardless of the damage caused.