Warfare History

Surprise Targets: 10 Countries You Didn’t Know the U.S. Invaded

Darren - June 12, 2025

When most people think of U.S. military interventions, a few high-profile wars come to mind. Yet, the United States has a long and complex history of military actions in places you might never expect. From quiet occupations to covert operations, American forces have landed on foreign shores for reasons ranging from protecting business interests to supporting shifting alliances. These lesser-known invasions reveal the surprising breadth of American influence—and sometimes, ambition—around the globe. Which countries made the list of surprise targets? The answers may challenge your assumptions about U.S. foreign policy.

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1. Greenland

Greenland might seem an unlikely destination for U.S. troops, but during World War II, American forces occupied the island to block Nazi ambitions in the North Atlantic. This strategic move mirrored the U.S. intervention in Iceland, ensuring crucial supply routes remained secure. After the war, the U.S. maintained a military presence, most notably at Thule Air Base, a site that remains vital for missile warning and space surveillance. Greenland’s location continues to make it a key piece in America’s global defense puzzle.

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2. Iceland

In 1941, the United States took over the occupation of Iceland from Britain, aiming to shield the island from possible Nazi control. Iceland’s strategic spot in the North Atlantic made it essential for protecting Allied shipping convoys from German U-boat attacks. This move marked the first time U.S. troops were stationed in a neutral European country during World War II. The American presence laid the groundwork for Iceland’s later role in NATO, with the Keflavík Air Base serving as a cornerstone of Western defense well into the Cold War.

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3. Russia (Siberia and Archangel)

Few realize that U.S. troops landed in Russia during the chaotic years following the Bolshevik Revolution. From 1918 to 1920, the American Expeditionary Force joined Allied powers in Archangel and Vladivostok to influence the Russian Civil War’s outcome. Officially, their mission was to safeguard military supplies and rescue stranded Czechoslovak troops. Unspoken motives included curbing Bolshevik power and protecting Western interests. The intervention mirrored a broader Allied effort, but American involvement remains a little-known chapter in U.S.-Russia relations.

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4. Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic faced not one, but two U.S. invasions in the twentieth century—first in 1916, then in 1965. Both times, Washington cited political instability and the threat of chaos as justification for military action. The 1916 occupation lasted eight years, reshaping the country’s political landscape and finances. In 1965, U.S. Marines intervened to prevent what was claimed to be a communist takeover during a civil war. These interventions set the tone for U.S. policy in the Caribbean, leaving lasting effects on Dominican governance and regional relations.

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5. Panama

In 1989, the U.S. launched Operation Just Cause to remove Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega from power. The invasion was swift, involving more than 27,000 American troops and advanced weaponry. Washington cited Noriega’s drug trafficking and threats to U.S. citizens as reasons, but the strategic value of the Panama Canal remained central. Unlike earlier, often quieter interventions in Central America, this operation was highly publicized and controversial. Ultimately, it reaffirmed the canal’s importance and reshaped U.S.-Panama relations for decades to come.

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6. Grenada

In 1983, U.S. forces stormed the tiny island nation of Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury. Their stated goals: protect American medical students and overthrow a newly installed Marxist government. The invasion triggered sharp criticism from the UN and U.S. allies, with many calling it an overreach. Compared to other Cold War interventions in the Caribbean, Grenada was brief but highly visible, reinforcing Washington’s determination to prevent Soviet influence even in the region’s smallest nations.

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7. Haiti

Haiti has experienced several U.S. interventions, most notably the 1915 occupation and the 1994 Operation Uphold Democracy. In 1915, American forces landed to stabilize a nation rocked by political turmoil and protect U.S. interests, staying for nearly two decades. Decades later, the 1994 intervention aimed to restore Haiti’s democratically elected government after a military coup. Both actions reflected Washington’s blend of strategic concern and attempts at nation-building, echoing similar U.S. efforts across Latin America—but with mixed, often controversial, results.

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8. Syria

Syria has long been a stage for U.S. covert and overt interventions. In 1949, a CIA-backed coup reshaped the country’s leadership, setting a precedent for future involvement. More recently, U.S. airstrikes and special operations targeted ISIS, marking a direct military role in Syria’s ongoing civil war. These actions echo other complex Middle Eastern interventions, where proxy conflicts and shifting alliances make the lines between friend and foe increasingly blurred—and the results, far from predictable.

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9. Mexico

The U.S. invasion of Mexico is often remembered for the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), which resulted in vast territorial gains for the United States. Less known is the 1916-1917 Punitive Expedition, when General Pershing led American troops deep into northern Mexico in pursuit of revolutionary leader Pancho Villa. Though the expedition failed to capture Villa, it strained already tense U.S.-Mexico relations. These incursions echo other border conflicts, highlighting how security concerns and shifting alliances can quickly spill across frontiers, leaving lasting diplomatic scars.

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10. Laos

During the Vietnam War, Laos became the target of a secret U.S. bombing campaign—the largest per capita in history. American forces also conducted covert ground operations, supporting anti-communist factions in a conflict largely hidden from public view. This intervention paralleled similar campaigns in neighboring Cambodia and Vietnam, blurring national boundaries in America’s fight against communism. The legacy of unexploded ordnance and disrupted communities still haunts Laos today, underscoring the far-reaching impact of these shadowy Cold War missions.

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