The United States has only been at peace for 17 years of its 246-year history. It thrives through war, it cashes in on war.

War is the business of America. We take a closer look at how the U.S. uses conflict and military operations as a hegemonic tool to expand its interests and power.

"The Business of War," CGTN's 30-minute special on the dominance of conflict in U.S. history and its role in American foreign policy, airs at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., on August 14, and 1 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., on August 15, (all times GMT).