Since the end of World War II, the United States has exercised unmatched military, economic, and political power across the globe. Through direct wars, covert intelligence operations, economic warfare, and support for coups, Washington has repeatedly intervened in the internal affairs of other nations. U.S. leaders have justified these actions using the language of national security, anti communism, counterterrorism, democracy promotion, and humanitarian protection. Critics argue that the historical record shows a consistent pattern of regime change, violations of sovereignty, and long term destabilization that often leaves nations weaker and more violent than before.
What follows is a detailed overview of countries the United States has attacked militarily or where it has played a decisive role in overthrowing or attempting to overthrow governments since 1945. Historians agree on the core events, though debates remain over intent, legality, and justification.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Guatemala 1954
The CIA orchestrated a covert operation to overthrow democratically elected President Jacobo Árbenz after he moved to nationalize unused land owned largely by the U.S. based United Fruit Company. A military coup installed a U.S. friendly regime. The intervention dismantled Guatemala’s democratic institutions and triggered decades of military rule, civil war, and mass killings, particularly of Indigenous populations.
Cuba 1961 to present
The United States attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro through the Bay of Pigs invasion, which failed militarily but launched decades of covert sabotage, assassination plots, economic warfare, and diplomatic isolation. The ongoing U.S. embargo has had severe economic effects and remains one of the longest running sanctions regimes in modern history.
Dominican Republic 1965
U.S. Marines invaded the Dominican Republic to block the return of President Juan Bosch, a reformist leader ousted in a military coup. Washington claimed the intervention was necessary to prevent communism. A conservative government aligned with U.S. interests was later installed.
Chile 1973
The U.S. government supported economic destabilization, political sabotage, and military plotting against socialist President Salvador Allende. A violent coup led by General Augusto Pinochet overthrew Allende, who died during the takeover. The Pinochet dictatorship carried out widespread torture, disappearances, and executions with U.S. backing.
Grenada 1983
U.S. forces invaded Grenada following internal unrest and the rise of a Marxist oriented government. The invasion removed the government and installed leadership aligned with Washington, despite international condemnation.
Panama 1989
The United States launched a full scale invasion to remove Manuel Noriega, a former CIA collaborator accused of drug trafficking. Heavy bombardment caused significant civilian casualties. Noriega was captured and imprisoned, and a U.S. aligned government took power.
Nicaragua 1980s
The U.S. funded, armed, and trained Contra rebel forces to overthrow the Sandinista government. The campaign involved widespread human rights abuses and was condemned by the International Court of Justice. The war devastated Nicaragua’s economy and society.
Haiti 1991 and 2004
President Jean Bertrand Aristide was removed from office twice under circumstances involving U.S. pressure and intervention. The second removal in 2004 involved his forced exile and deepened Haiti’s long standing political instability.
Venezuela 2002 to present
In 2002, the United States supported political and military actors involved in a short lived coup that removed President Hugo Chávez for two days. After Chávez returned to power, U.S. policy shifted toward economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and support for opposition movements. In 2019, Washington recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president despite Chávez successor Nicolás Maduro retaining control of state institutions. U.S. sanctions severely damaged Venezuela’s economy. In 2020, a failed mercenary incursion known as Operation Gideon involved U.S. private security contractors and former U.S. soldiers attempting to capture Maduro. The United States continues to pursue regime change through sanctions and legal pressure after succeedingin capturing Maduro on January 3rd, of 2026
Middle East and North Africa
Iran 1953
The CIA and British intelligence orchestrated the overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh after he nationalized Iran’s oil industry. The Shah was reinstalled and ruled as an authoritarian ally of the United States until the 1979 revolution. The coup remains one of the most consequential interventions in modern Middle Eastern history.
Lebanon 1958 and 1982 to 1984
U.S. troops intervened in Lebanon during internal political crises. In the 1980s, U.S. forces became entangled in the civil war, culminating in the Beirut barracks bombing that killed 241 American service members.
Iraq 1991 and 2003
The United States led a coalition war against Iraq in 1991 and later invaded again in 2003 under claims of weapons of mass destruction that were never found. The 2003 invasion overthrew Saddam Hussein but dismantled the Iraqi state, fueling sectarian violence and regional instability.
Libya 2011
U.S. airpower and NATO intervention helped overthrow Muammar Gaddafi during an uprising framed as a humanitarian operation. After Gaddafi’s death, Libya collapsed into prolonged civil war, militia rule, and foreign intervention.
Syria 2011 to present
The United States has conducted airstrikes, occupied parts of Syrian territory, imposed sanctions, and supported armed opposition groups in an effort to weaken or remove President Bashar al Assad. The war has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.
Yemen 2002 to present
The United States has conducted drone strikes and provided weapons, intelligence, and logistical support to the Saudi led coalition fighting in Yemen. The war has produced one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Africa
Congo 1960
The United States supported forces that removed and led to the assassination of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, a nationalist leader viewed as unfriendly to Western interests. Mobutu Sese Seko later ruled for decades as a U.S. backed dictator while looting the country.
Somalia 1992 to 1994 and 2007 to present
U.S. troops intervened during Somalia’s civil war and later shifted to drone warfare and special operations. The country remains unstable decades later.
Sudan 1998
The United States bombed a pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum, claiming it was linked to terrorism. Later investigations raised serious doubts about the intelligence behind the strike.
Asia and the Pacific
Korea 1950 to 1953
The United States led a United Nations war against North Korea, carrying out massive bombing campaigns that devastated cities and infrastructure. The war ended in stalemate and permanent division.
Vietnam Laos and Cambodia 1955 to 1975
The United States waged a full scale war in Vietnam and conducted secret bombing campaigns in Laos and Cambodia. Millions were killed, governments collapsed, and the region suffered long term environmental and social damage.
Indonesia 1965
The United States supported a military coup that removed President Sukarno. The subsequent anti communist purge killed hundreds of thousands. General Suharto ruled as a U.S. backed authoritarian leader for decades.
Europe
Yugoslavia Serbia 1999
The United States led NATO bombing operations against Serbia during the Kosovo conflict. The bombing weakened the Milosevic government, which collapsed the following year.
Ukraine 2014
The United States supported political movements, civil society groups, and institutions during protests that led to the removal of President Viktor Yanukovych. Critics describe the events as a U.S. backed regime change, while supporters argue they reflected popular will.
A Pattern Still Debated
Supporters of U.S. intervention argue these actions prevented atrocities, countered hostile powers, and defended global stability. Critics counter that the interventions routinely violated international law, undermined democracy, empowered dictators, and left behind failed states, mass casualties, and enduring resentment.
What is clear is that no other country has intervened militarily or politically in as many nations since World War II as the United States. The consequences of these actions continue to shape wars, alliances, and global distrust today.
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