Here is the "idiosyncratic" dictionary definition of imperialism:
LOL is that the Urban Dictionary definition?
Now read that list of interventions again.
Oh, and I forgot Chile. That needs to go on the list, too.
None of this is expanding hegemony through force of arms. All of these interventions were and are understood to be temporary, with sovereignty reverting to the invaded or attacked country at the conclusion of hostilities (if sovereignty was ever in question to begin with). At no time in living memory has the US sought to occupy and rule over another country, as part of a growing American "empire".
You can expand the definition of imperialism if you want, to include "cultural imperialism", diplomacy, peaceful trade, having friends and allies around the world, etc. But the more you expand it, the more it looks like you're stretching to have something to gripe about.
America is the least imperialistic empire in the history of imperialism, the most benevolent empire in the history of the world, and NATO is the least imperialistic part of it. Complain about western "empires" in the modern age? Might as well complain about imperialist France, and its influence over Europe. Might as well complain about imperialist Britain, which punches far above its weight, influence-wise.
Might as well complain about Moscow, which actually is an imperialist regime, in a way that America isn't, to the point where it's ridiculous to use the same term for both.
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There have been roughly three phases of American imperialism:
The conquest of a broad swath of North America, "from sea to shining sea". Land was taken from natives and competing empires. This was the only real period of "traditional" imperialism.
The heavy-handed and problematic enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine, against communist expansion. Right idea, could have been handled a lot better. If you want to call this imperialism, I won't complain overmuch. Still not very imperialist, though compared to previous empires and America's own previous behavior.
The modern era of "cultural imperialism" and the Pax Americana. Which I don't consider to be imperialist at all. Certainly not in the context of NATO. Really, the Pax Americana (of which NATO is the centerpiece) is kind of an anti-Empire.
