American Imperialism in the Middle East

Just a few years ago to use the word imperialism to describe the U.S. would have automatically branded you as a member of the fringe left. Now the term is openly embraced. The New York Times Magazine lead said it all: “American Imperialism: Get Used to It.” The pundits assure us, we’re different from previous empires. We’re smarter. We’ll do things better. After all, we’re Americans. The U.S. has occupation armies in Afghanistan and Iraq. A string of bases and garrisons ring the Middle East. The price of empire comes high. There is the cost in lives, treasure and moral degradation.