Since the end of World War II, the United States has engaged in numerous military interventions, bombing campaigns, and covert operations across the globe. While often justified under the banners of "democracy," "counterterrorism," or "humanitarian intervention," these actions have resulted in millions of deaths, destabilized entire regions, and left lasting scars on affected nations.
This article provides a comprehensive list of countries bombed by the U.S. since 1945, followed by a critical discussion on whether the U.S. itself has become the greatest threat to global peace and stability.
List of Countries Bombed by the U.S. Since World War II
1. Japan (1945)
- Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 6 & 9, 1945)
The only use of nuclear weapons in warfare, killing an estimated 200,000+ civilians instantly, with many more dying later from radiation.
2. Korea & China (1950–1953)
- Korean War: The U.S. conducted massive bombing campaigns, including napalm strikes, killing millions of Koreans and Chinese.
- North Korea was flattened, with 85% of its buildings destroyed by U.S. bombing.
3. Guatemala (1954, 1960, 1967–1969)
- U.S.-backed coups and bombing campaigns against leftist governments, leading to decades of dictatorship and genocide against Indigenous Mayans.
4. Indonesia (1958)
- The CIA supported rebels against President Sukarno, conducting bombing raids to destabilize the government.
5. Cuba (1959–1961)
- Bay of Pigs invasion (1961) and multiple CIA-backed sabotage attempts against Fidel Castro’s government.
6. Congo (1964)
- U.S. and Belgium-backed bombings during the Congo Crisis, leading to the rise of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
7. Laos (1964–1973)
- Secret CIA "Secret War": The U.S. dropped more bombs on Laos than in all of WWII, leaving 80 million unexploded cluster bombs that still kill civilians today.
8. Vietnam (1961–1973)
- Operation Rolling Thunder, Agent Orange, and napalm bombing killed 3–4 million Vietnamese, with lasting environmental and health damage.
9. Cambodia (1969–1970)
- Secret bombings under Nixon, destabilizing the country and contributing to the rise of the Khmer Rouge.
10. Grenada (1983)
- Invasion of Grenada to overthrow a leftist government, despite no real threat to the U.S.
11. Lebanon (1983, 1984)
- U.S. airstrikes against Syrian and Lebanese forces during the civil war.
12. Libya (1986, 2011, 2015)
- 1986: Reagan bombed Libya, killing civilians, including Gaddafi’s daughter.
- 2011: NATO-led destruction of Libya led to chaos, slavery, and terrorism.
- 2015: More airstrikes against ISIS (which emerged due to the 2011 war).
13. El Salvador (1980s)
- U.S.-backed death squads and bombings in support of right-wing dictatorships.
14. Nicaragua (1980s)
- CIA-backed Contra terrorists and mining of harbors to overthrow the Sandinista government.
15. Iran (1987, 2025)
- U.S. attacked Iranian ships and oil platforms during the Iran-Iraq War.
-airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—using bunker-busting bombs
16. Panama (1989)
- Invasion of Panama to remove Manuel Noriega, killing 3,000+ civilians.
17. Iraq (1991, 1991–2003, 2003–2015)
- 1991 Gulf War: Mass civilian bombings, depleted uranium use.
- 1991–2003: Sanctions killed 500,000+ children (Madeleine Albright: "The price is worth it").
- 2003 Iraq War: Based on lies about WMDs, leading to 1 million+ deaths and the rise of ISIS.
18. Kuwait (1991)
- Bombing campaigns during the Gulf War.
19. Somalia (1993, 2007–2008, 2011)
- Repeated drone strikes and interventions, worsening instability.
20. Bosnia (1994, 1995)
- NATO bombings during the Yugoslav Wars.
21. Sudan (1998)
- Clinton bombed a pharmaceutical factory, falsely claiming it was a chemical weapons plant.
22. Afghanistan (1998, 2001–2021)
- 2001 invasion: 20-year occupation, tens of thousands dead, ironically, Taliban back in power.
- Drone strikes killed countless civilians.
23. Yugoslavia (1999)
- 78-day NATO bombing, including depleted uranium, causing long-term health damage.
24. Yemen (2002, 2009, 2011, 2024)
- Drone strikes and support for Saudi Arabia’s genocidal war.
25. Pakistan (2007–2015)
- Drone strikes killed thousands, including many civilians.
26. Syria (2014–2015, 2023–2024)
- Illegal bombings, occupation of oil fields, and support for jihadist rebels.
27. Palestine/Gaza through Israel (since 1948)- no end in sight!
Who Is the Real Threat to World Peace?
The U.S. has been at war for 93% of its existence (222 out of 239 years since 1776). It maintains 800+ military bases in 80+ countries, spends more on its military than the next 10 nations combined, and has overthrown 50+ foreign governments since WWII.
Key Questions:
- How many countries has China bombed since WWII? (Almost none.)
- How many governments has Russia overthrown? (Far fewer than the U.S.)
- Which nation has used nuclear weapons? (Only the U.S.)
- Which nation has the worst record of war crimes and civilian killings? (The U.S. by far.)
Conclusion:
While the U.S. portrays itself as the "global policeman," its actions reveal a pattern of imperialism, regime change, and mass violence. The countries bombed by America have suffered genocide, dictatorship, and endless war—all while the U.S. claims to promote "freedom."
If any nation qualifies as the greatest threat to world peace, it is the United States.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments. Should the U.S. be held accountable for its wars? Let’s discuss.
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