[philosophus]

I don't either, but this is the way the world works. Exiting powers create a vacuum. Expect to see more of Russia and China asserting themselves on the world stage now that the United States is no longer a credible military power.

[happyscrappy]

>now that the United States is no longer a credible military power.

It is hard to fathom such a level of confusion.

[philosophus]

Care to explain? We just lost two wars, were embarrassed by Putin over the "red line" in Syria that turned out to be an empty threat, Iran is moving towards nuclear weapons, Hagel said a few days ago he wants to draw down the Army to pre-WWII levels, and now this with apparently no response from the US.

[marshray]

> We just lost two wars

Politically, perhaps, but certainly not militarily. I.e., neither the Afghan Taliban nor Saddam Hussein's forces have the ability to mass forces or hold territory.

[happyscrappy]

You actually believe that the US is not a credible military power? Maybe you wish that to be the case but you are outrageously confused. There is only one superpower currently.