“But it wasn’t just bombs or politics that spread American power.”

The implications were grave—their carefully constructed empire was on the verge of crumbling under the weight of an unforeseen force: American influence, seeping relentlessly through every crack of their borders. The United States wielded the most powerful, sophisticated military in the world—a fact that could make or break the power of any regime or dynasty, not just in the Middle East, but across the globe. But it wasn’t just bombs or politics that spread American power.