The U.S.A. has always been a colonial/Imperial power, but, especially since WWII (the big one) has staked its claim to be the “World Police.”
Now, to the Empire, does being the cops of the world mean that it moves gently around making sure everyone is safe, prosperous, and happy? No, just like the local police forces in the “Homeland,” the World Police Force is there to protect the interests and power of the global 1%. The rest of us, and I mean ALL of the rest of us are collateral damage, or potential collateral damage to the Empire.