World Cop (America): How Imperial Ambitions Fuel Division and Drain Our Future

In recent years, the United States has worn the mantle of “world cop” with an aggressive foreign policy that stretches from the battlefields of Ukraine and Palestine to the long shadows of Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Critics argue that America’s imperial ambitions not only squander billions of taxpayer dollars but also manipulate domestic narratives - fanning Islamophobia, isolating communities, and deepening internal divisions. As protests surge against policies seen as both reckless abroad and divisive at home, the echoes of past administrations - from Bush’s measured, if flawed, outreach to global Islam to today’s incendiary rhetoric under Trump and the rising influence of figures like Elon Musk - offer a stark warning: when global policing becomes an end in itself, democracy and prosperity are at stake.

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A History of Intervention and Its Hidden Costs

America’s track record as the self-appointed global policeman spans nearly a century. From the massive mobilization during World War II to the controversial engagements in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, U.S. military interventions have often been justified in the name of security and freedom. However, these actions have come at enormous financial and human costs. For instance, Investopedia notes that when adjusted to today’s dollars, World War II cost the U.S. a staggering $5.74 trillion, while the combined toll of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars has reached nearly $3.68 trillion

These interventions, many argue, were less about spreading democracy and more about securing economic and strategic interests - sometimes with little regard for long-term stability. Historical analyses, such as those cataloging nearly 400 military interventions since 1776

suggest that America’s “world cop” role has evolved into an expensive quagmire that drains national resources and leaves lasting scars on the international system.

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Manipulating Public Opinion: Islamophobia as a Tool of Division

At home, this global policing mindset dovetails with a domestic strategy that exploits fear and prejudice. Critics contend that American leaders have manipulated public opinion by stoking anti-Muslim sentiments to justify foreign interventions and domestic policies that isolate communities. For example, policies that emerged in the wake of 9/11, including controversial travel bans and intensified surveillance, have contributed to an environment where hostility toward Muslims is not only tolerated but sometimes encouraged

President Donald Trump’s rhetoric has often reinforced these divisions. As one commentator in The Guardian observed, “Trump’s racist agenda has real-life consequences affecting all citizens, including hindering infrastructure repairs and crucial medical research”

This exploitation of fear not only alienates millions of American citizens of Arab or Muslim descent but also undermines the social fabric necessary for a united foreign policy.

In stark contrast, historical moments like George W. Bush’s 2001 speech at the Islamic Center of Washington attempted to bridge divides by emphasizing that “Islam is peace” and that American Muslims “love America just as much as I do”

Today, however, similar conciliatory tones are increasingly drowned out by polarizing voices.

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Trump, Musk, and the March Toward Imperial Politics

The modern iteration of American imperialism is being championed by an unlikely alliance between political figures and corporate titans. Recent developments suggest that both Trump and Elon Musk are gravitating toward policies and rhetoric that echo the imperial ambitions of past administrations, particularly the Bush era. Trump’s administration has doubled down on divisive policies - from bizarre claims about foreign aid misuse (including allegations that $50 million worth of condoms were misappropriated for terrorist activities)

to aggressive nationalistic posturing - and these actions are now met with widespread protests across major U.S. cities

Meanwhile, Elon Musk, once known for his technocratic optimism, has become entangled in these political currents. His influence on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) has amplified right-wing narratives, further blurring the lines between corporate power and state policy

The convergence of Trump’s populist nationalism and Musk’s digital clout is steering the U.S. toward a form of imperial politics that resembles the aggressive interventionism of the early 2000s—a period marked by military overreach and significant domestic cost.

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The Economic Toll: Wasting Billions on Radical Actions

Beyond the human and social costs, America’s role as the “world cop” comes with a staggering economic price tag. Billions are lost each year to military engagements that yield uncertain returns and foster long-term instability. As highlighted in recent analyses, U.S. military spending remains among the highest in the world, diverting funds from critical domestic needs such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare

Critics argue that the economic inefficiency of these interventions—combined with the manipulation of public opinion to support them—creates a vicious cycle of wasteful spending and growing internal division. When government policies are used as tools to manufacture fear and justify international aggression, the result is an eroding trust in democratic institutions and a society increasingly defined by conflict and polarization.

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Protests and Resistance: Voices Rising Against the Empire

Across the nation, a groundswell of protests has emerged in response to the latest iteration of Trump’s policies and the perceived return to imperial practices. Demonstrators in cities from Austin to Atlanta have rallied against actions that they view as antithetical to democratic values and social cohesion

These protests are not just a rejection of specific policies - they are a broader outcry against a political system that, critics say, has repeatedly sacrificed the welfare of its own citizens in pursuit of global dominance.

As one protester put it, “If we don't stop it and get Congress to do something, it’s an attack on democracy”

The message is clear: the American public is increasingly unwilling to bear the cost - both fiscal and social - of a foreign policy that fuels division at home.

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Conclusion

The self-styled role of “world cop” has long been a cornerstone of American identity on the global stage. Yet, as history shows, this mantle comes with hidden costs. From the ravages of prolonged military interventions to the domestic exploitation of fear and prejudice, America’s imperial ambitions are draining its resources and fracturing its society. As Trump and Musk steer the nation toward an era reminiscent of Bush’s interventionist policies, it is imperative for citizens and policymakers alike to reassess whether the price of global dominance is worth the deepening domestic division and economic strain.

Written By: Mohamed Dosou | محمد دوسو