Millions were killed in the ruined countries. Unknown numbers more have suffered and died from the effects of chemical warfare and from unexploded ordnance, and still do. Those were not covert actions. There have been many other cases. It is also worth recalling that when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait a few months later, the prime concern of the Bush Administration was that he would emulate what the US had just done in Panama.
Overt actions are nothing new.
In fact, because of internal changes in the US, Washington may be less likely to resort to overt action than in the past. Overt actions are nothing new. In fact, because of internal changes in the US, Washington may be less likely to resort to overt action than in the past. US military doctrine is unusual in that US casualties are not tolerated and overwhelming force must be available. In Somalia, for example, US forces were sent only after the worst fighting had declined, and recovery from famine was underway.