[Dick Bachert]

The nature of empire is far more politically correct today than in ages past.

We have US military scattered all over the bloody globe, making it is more de facto than de jure just in case we DO have to move to the level of de jure should the need arise.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

A few bases sprinkled around can be easily crushed by indigenous forces (even large ones such as Ramstein in Germany, or the base near Tokyo).

You're entitle to your opinion, but personally it seems very figuratively puffed up to consider that since the United States has bases in foreign countries that Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Qatar, and other countries are de facto colonies of the United States.

Again, the United States has shown itself to be unable to exert full control over these countries. They make decisions on their own.