Disappeared News

Well, I didn't know this:

A report released by the Congressional Research Office, Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2006 updated January 8, 2007 lists no fewer than four military interventions:

1870 Hawaiian Islands. September 21. U.S. forces placed the American flag at half mast upon the death of Queen Kalama, when the American consul at Honolulu would not assume responsibility for so doing.

1874 Hawaiian Islands. February 12 to 20. Detachments from American vessels were landed to preserve order and protect American lives and interests during the coronation of a new king.

1889 Hawaiian Islands. July 30 and 31. U.S. forces protected American interests at Honolulu during a revolution.

1893 Hawaii. January 16 to April 1. Marines were landed ostensibly to protect American lives and property, but many believed actually to promote a provisional government under Sanford B. Dole. This action was disavowed by the United States.

This report attributes most US interventions around the world as intended to "protect" American lives, property or interests. The word appears 108 times in the report, so perhaps it is fair to interpret it as a euphemism.