It’s easy to overstate matters, and say that this moment or that moment is a time of significant change. But, while we are not sure where we are headed, people of many different political and national perspectives view what is happening now around the globe as the end of the era of the United States as the world’s singular power.
Today’s New York Times has an op-ed on that subject, written by a British member of parliament who was born in Africa. I think it’s a very interesting read, especially given his perspective.
Much as the Second World War has been identified as the end of the British Empire, future historians may well see the financial crisis of 2008 as the end of the American empire. Yet, the retreat of American power, particularly in the Middle East, has potentially left the world considerably more unstable and uncertain.