perfidy

I think these days "empire" can be construed more broadly than the American Heritage Dictionary tells it. Though I'm going to have to think more on this: If going into a nation halfway around the world and removing a leader who is repugnant to us, if not actually an act of empire, does not comprise at least sidling up to empire's hot sister at a party and trying to hook up with her, how so? 

Apologies for that last sentence there. I had sugar packets at lunch. 

Also, I'm a cultural historian, not some fancy-pants political scientist like Buckethead.