Ashgate Research Companion to US Foreign Policy

During the last half century we may have witnessed the zenith of American power. America's economic dominance and imperial reach have been impressive to watch but they cannot last. Fierce competition from other countries, indebtedness, lack of competitiveness, overextension and problems of raw materials will weaken the USA. They will certainly undermine its relative power. Another factor is the incalculable effect of climate change. On top of that, recent wars have shown us the limits of conventional (and nuclear) armies when they are up against a determined guerrilla force with an ideology every bit as gripping as America's own. Covert...