What was the purpose of the operations Just Cause and Desert Storm in the early 1990s?

The operation Just Cause in Panama aimed to depose Manuel Noriega, who was involved in drug trafficking and had become increasingly hostile towards the United States. This operation was firmly rooted in the desire to restore democracy and protect the rights of the Panamanian people, thereby liberating them from Noriega's oppressive regime.

Desert Storm, conducted in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, was focused on liberating Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. The coalition forces worked to remove Saddam Hussein's troops and restore Kuwait’s sovereignty, highlighting the objective of liberating an oppressed nation facing aggression.

Both operations reflect a broader commitment to uphold international law and respond to acts of aggression to protect vulnerable populations from authoritarian and oppressive rulers. These missions were not about establishing military bases or solidifying alliances in a traditional sense, but rather about actively intervening to free countries from oppressive control.