NEW YORK (Web Desk) – Americans fear they are no longer the ‘superpower’ of the world. Polls regularly show that Americans recognise that their country’s international standing has waned, reports BBC.
Among the young, this trendline has fallen sharply. Only 15% of 18-29-year-olds believe that America is the “greatest country in the world”, according to Pew, down from 27% in 2011.
No longer is there much appetite for America playing its long-standing role of global policeman.
Over the past 15 years, America’s fortunes have changed with dizzying speed since the turn of this century.
First came the disputed presidential election in 2000, followed by the destruction of the Twin Towers in 2001 and the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.
Long wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have exacted an enormous blood price – the lives of 6,852 American military personnel – not to mention immense financial expense, estimated to be as high as $6 trillion.
The detention centre at Guantanamo Bay has undermined American ideals, just as the NSA and Wikileaks spying scandals have undercut American diplomacy.
George W Bush was over-eager to project America’s military might, without adequately considering the long-term consequences. While, Barack Obama has drawn criticism for disengaging too much.
Under both presidents, America’s global standing has been diminished.
