There hasn't been a war fought on United States soil in nearly 160 years, since the Civil War combat ended in 1865. But that hardly means the country hasn't been involved in wars. The ever-expanding American military footprint covers nearly every continent.
While the U.S. has long had a military presence in other nations, the scope significantly expanded following the passage of the聽, which, in the wake of 9/11, permitted the support of foreign forces against various terrorist groups. The U.S. has since had聽 as of 2020 and currently maintains at least聽,聽according to the Conflict Management and Peace Science journal.
As the top military power in the world, according to the聽 index, the U.S. has a vested interest in the national security of countries across the globe. In situations that do not warrant combative military intervention or would threaten relations with allies, the government may oversee or aid more minor disputes within countries, such as counterterrorism efforts. This type of involvement is known as a "shadow war," a somewhat covert military operation conducted on behalf of a smaller power. While the聽聽would not meet that criteria,聽Iran's strikes on Israel in April 2024 between those two countries.
To see what this looks like for America,聽爆料TV compiled a list of 15 "shadow wars" the U.S. is currently involved in. Read on to find out how those conflicts began and the state of them today, based on research from various news, government, and investigative sources.
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1 / 15Yemen
The U.S. has supported the Yemen government against terrorist organizations鈥攊ncluding the Islamic State, or ISIS, and al-Qaeda鈥攕ince the country's civil war began in 2014. According to the World Bank, this civil war has prompted in the world. In February 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $444 million in humanitarian aid to the region, bringing the聽.
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2 / 15Russia
The U.S. has provided military assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. However, such support has been strategically targeted to avoid further escalating tensions with Russia; for example, the White House is , such as fighter jets that could instigate deadlier conflict. Since January 2021, the U.S. has for equipment such as aircraft systems, ammunition, and more.
DELIL SOULEIMAN // Getty Images
3 / 15Syria
Since 2014, the U.S. has engaged in efforts to destabilize terrorist groups in Syria, including聽. American support of the region began with the pro-democracy protests of the Arab Spring of 2011. During that time, the Syrian government's destabilization . To this day, the U.S. continues providing military intelligence, surveillance, and air support.
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4 / 15Cameroon
Cameroon is one of 11 African nations with which the U.S. is engaged in military activity , a military operation supporting the Global War on Terror. The campaign targets terrorist organizations Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa. The U.S. has provided Cameroon with nearly $67 million in support of counterterrorist missions, including intelligence and reconnaissance, and聽.
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5 / 15Iraq
The Iraq War officially ended in December 2011, but U.S. troops returned to the region in 2014 to support counterterrorism operations. Military support aims to prevent and suppress the resurgence of ISIS in the area. Approximately as of March 2023, providing instruction and assistance to Iraqi troops.
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6 / 15Egypt
The U.S. has maintained a military presence in Egypt since 1978 to enforce the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. The U.S. has provided more than聽. American troops have recently taken a more active role in the nation's national security by partnering with the Egyptian military in , a counterterrorist effort targeting ISIS.
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7 / 15Kenya
The U.S. maintains a military task force in Kenya in opposition to threats posed by the terrorist organization al-Shabaab. In 2020, the group launched an attack on a Kenyan military base in Manda Bay, where American troops were providing training, resulting in the . As of 2021, the Department of Defense funds aimed toward counterterrorism measures.
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8 / 15Lebanon
American and Lebanese militaries have joined forces in opposition to Lebanon-based terrorist organizations, including ISIS, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Since 2012, the U.S. has provided the region with聽, including $72 million specifically to聽.
ABDULLAH DOMA/AFP // Getty Images
9 / 15Libya
American forces have been engaged in several military operations in Libya since the 2012 Benghazi attack, which resulted in the deaths of a U.S. ambassador and two CIA contractors, instigating a campaign geared toward improving the safety of American diplomats. The U.S. has since 2020.
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10 / 15Mali
Mali is another of the 11 African countries with which the U.S. has engaged in Operation Juniper Shield. To combat terrorist organizations in the region鈥攊ncluding al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram鈥攖he U.S. provides training and equipment to Mali military groups. The country is , an anti-propaganda information campaign.
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11 / 15Mauritania
Mauritania is another African country within the scope of the counterterrorism campaign Operation Juniper Shield. The country is also site to a base partially involved in the anti-propaganda campaign Operation Objective Voice. Additionally, during an annual event known as , the U.S. provides the country with military training support in partnership with Canada and some European countries.
ISSOUF SANOGO // Getty Images
12 / 15Niger
The U.S. provides counterterrorism support in numerous military campaigns currently operating within Niger, including Juniper Shield, Jukebox Lotus, and Objective Voice. The聽 serving as a base for American troops to operate drones and some small aircraft for military missions. The airfield cost approximately $110 million to construct.
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13 / 15Nigeria
The U.S. government maintains a steady military presence in Nigeria, supporting Operation Juniper Shield and Operation Objective Voice. The African nation has long been a military ally of the U.S., and in 2022, the White House approved聽. American support of the country dates back nearly two decades; since 2000, the U.S. has to Nigerian military personnel.
Hasan Ali Elmi // Getty Images
14 / 15Somalia
Over the past decade, the U.S. government has in the fight against terrorist groups al-Shabaab and ISIS. Aid given thus far also includes combat raids and military training and equipment. Under the Trump administration, American troops withdrew from Somalia, leading al-Shabaab to regain its grip on the region. However, the group's presence waned amid under the Biden administration.
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15 / 15Afghanistan
Though American troops withdrew from Afghanistan in February 2020, the CIA remains involved in the region. Specifically, the agency is concerning the Taliban's takeover of the area at sites located in Pakistan. Additionally, some American troops remain on guard at the U.S. embassy in Kabul.
Story editing by Brian Budzynski. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
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