The American Empire in Decline

“A great civilization is not conquered from without, until it has destroyed itself from within.” 1964 Movie - The Fall of the Roman Empire.

Chicago

There are many factors that cause the downfall of a great civilization. The great Roman Empire existed for over a thousand years. In recent times the Ottoman Empire ended its reign in 1922, after 620 years.

The American Empire?

Is there any such thing as the American Empire? Compared to the Roman and Ottoman empires, absolutely not. Has the United States had global influence since the end of World War Two in 1945, the answer is yes.

Waning Influence

For almost 70 years USA influence held strong, however during Barrack Obama’s presidency, the first chink in the armor appeared. Obama set an imaginary line; any use of chemical weapons would be a red line. That red line was crossed, yet Obama did nothing. Some say that inaction influenced leaders like Russia’s Putin to annex parts of Ukraine before fully invading the country. A war that continues to this day. Putin expected the USA to do nothing, other than offer military weaponry and aid.

Trump and Ukraine

In an earlier blog, Trump’s treatment of Zelensky was music to the ears of Putin. Trump threatened to cut all military and funding support to Ukraine. Thankfully, for Ukrainians Trump did not follow through with his threats.

Tariffs

What school of economics did Trump go to. None of any repute, is what the world can see. The only outcome for citizens of the USA is that they pay for the increased tariffs imposed by Trump. Not the country sending the goods to the United States. The vision for tariffs to make America great again, is naïve. An example is the wine industry that brings billions into the economy. Tariffs add to the cost of production; products from other countries that help sustain the industry, adds millions of dollars more to the price of the finished product.

Deporting Foreigners

Thousands of foreigners, both legal and illegally within U.S. borders, are deported daily. Kilmar Abrego Garcia is the most famous of these deportees. Garcia was grabbed by immigration officers and deported to El Salvador without due process. 'This is what American justice looks like', says a spokesperson on behalf of the Trump administration. Now that same administration has decided to bring back Garcia to face charges, what the Trump administration says once more, 'this is what American justice looks like'. The world sees it differently, seeing it as a fascist Trump administration.

Threats against Harvard

Trump has threatened to cut financial support to Harvard and all universities on more Trumped-up charges. Protesters on campus of Israel’s ongoing war is interpreted as anti-Israel. A perfect example of free speech that Trump uses to threaten universities.

Canada and Greenland

In the early days of Trump's second term, he threatened to make Canada a state of the USA and bring Greenland under U.S. administration.

Tourism Discouraged

If you want to avoid problems at the border do not travel to the United States.

Ignoring China's Expansion

China sent a warship around Australia in retaliation for the Australian navy sailing through the South China Sea. China is gaining influence in the Pacific islands by investing heavily in the small island nation of Tonga. A strategy it seeks to employ in other small Pacific nations.

China Shrewd Empire Strategy

Summary

These are all factors that diminish the influence of the USA. Most can be addressed should the current USA administration chose to consider them. However, President Trump's attitude and policies do not help with the economy; it alienates long term allies, including Europe, and he persists with authoritarianism while ignoring the growing influence of China's global power. Trump is in part responsible for the decline of American influence globally. An empire the United States of America is not. It can however, by its actions, have a long-term influence on how the future for humanity will look, for generations to come.