The article reviews the opinions of American political scientists, who interpret the use of force as a strictly defensive measure — applicable only in the case of a direct military action on American soil. The concept «defender» to classify non-intervention experts is used. The criteria for American experts as «defenders» are defined. The perspectives of practical implementation of «defender’s» ideas are estimated.

humanitarian intervention, regime change, preventive defense, no isolationism, self-defense, defenders, balance of forces, offshore balancing