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I do hope the U.S. manages to completely isolate itself internationally. The U.S. losing it's allies and therefore effectively super power status would definitely be a positive outcome of all of this.


US superpower status isn't based on how friendly it is with everybody. The USSR wasn't a superpower because everybody liked it.

It's based on: $200 trillion in assets + $700 billion in military spending + $16 trillion GDP + 7,700 nuclear warheads (per FAS). Then throw in 313 million people with one of the highest GDP per capita and average income rates, plus the third largest country by geographical size (with prime positioning on both major oceans). There's also the USD as global reserve currency, which today has no serious competitor for that status.

China for example will likely soon be a formal superpower, and it won't be because everybody loves their government.

Isolation can sting, no question, but realistically unless we're talking North Korean or Cuban style isolation, it has minimal bearing on superpower status.


Pax Americana will continue for another 3 or 4 decades, even more. No matter what the U.S. does, there is a time needed for the developing giants at the moment (mostly China and India) to get into the next gear and make that power shift.

The next power status bearer won't be any different, though. That's how international relations have rolled in the past, and that's how they'll continue to be.


The way it's looking it's going to happen one way or another. It's probably better that the move towards isolation happens intentionally rather than be forced by screw-ups like these.


Germany won't even ask the US to give up military bases in the Fatherland, so you may be disappointed. If you really want to see the fall of America go help Russia or China.




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