With the headlines of recent weeks, it seems that a lot has been happening across the world. First, you have the upgraded missiles in Iran with their leadership telling us that they now have the possibility to hit US Middle Eastern bases. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/0...e-as-israel-further-weighs-possiblity-attack/ Then, you have the potential for biological or chemical warfare in Syria. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-19334041 With the election coming up, I wouldn't doubt that a lot of things get brought into the forefront and become topics of discussion in debates. I am not wanting this to turn into a political flame war, but rather a question of where things are heading in the world. It is quite obvious that the war on terror has not garnered peace in the Middle East in any way. Yes, it did provide us a means of prosecuting Sadaam Hussein and may have aided in the killing of Osama Bin Ladin. But, terrorism is still rampant and will continue as there are plenty of others that are jumping to take their places. Lastly, you have the worries from North Korea and China. North Korea has essentially been cut off from international aid due to their continuing shows of power and interest in military action. Essentially, their new leader has allowed a few changes in their society but still doesn't want anyone else to push them around. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...e6cbbc-eb8d-11e1-866f-60a00f604425_story.html China isn't a worry from a military standpoint yet has essentially changed into the richest country in the world. They control so many markets and essentially serve as the manufacturing capital of the world. They have the capabilities to produce pretty much anything much cheaper and quicker than almost anyone else. They have an overabundance of money, but have the issues with overpopulation and the ability to care for it's citizens. Where do you see the direction of our world shifting to? With America becoming less and less of a manufacturing country, what do we need to focus our resources on to become the greatest world power again? Do you think we will ever become the greatest world power again? Don't get me wrong, I am very proud and happy to live in the United States. But, the economy looks pretty bleak and it doesn't appear to be getting any better (although politicians swear that it is). Our country has always rebounded in the past following major wars. Is it going to essentially take another world war to rebuild the wealth in our country and recover from this slump? ~Will Courtier~
Sorry, mistyped the post title. Meant to ask "What's the United State's next move?" Could a mod please change it for me? ~Will Courtier~
I think out turn is now over, so we won't have the clout to tell other countries what to do. If you want to know where that could take us, study what happened to other powers that fell, like USSR, etc. Get to know the consequences of hyperinflation and prepare for it. We are not immune any longer. At best, this country is only 9 meals away from total anarchy.
Wow, this will turn out well Where to start... As I've mentioned in other threads America will be less and less relevant in the world especially when you consider the following: 1) With no real alternative energy policy America will continue to be at the mercy of oil prices which affect more things than just the price of gas. Because we aren't interested in a real alternative energy policy it means that the next "boom" we will be left out, not only will we be buying green tech from other foreign sources, it also means we wont be the ones doing the manufacturing. Which leads me to my next point: 2) As countries like China and India become the manufacture capitals of the world America will lose even more jobs and will be further weakened. Our savior would be our investment in technology but because we aren't investing in tech OR even educating our youth to be the next inventors or entrepreneurs we wont even be able to compete in that, even though historically, we've been the top dog. So that leaves us with an uneducated populace, unable to do manual labor because of the high wages required to pay Americans and an increasing burden from health care and an economy heavily influenced by the price of oil. Mean while other countries are investing in themselves either via infrastructure, education, technology, and health care or in military defense. With regards to countries getting various weapons, it doesn't matter, it's just their way of trying to get into the global game to get a piece of the economic pie. It will also stimulate their own economy since, in order to have a military power you will need infrastructure, an educated populace to pull from and all the resources needed to provided for the aforementioned. So what can America do? Should we also increase our military spending? We already spend more than every country combined, the benefits in doing so decrease exponentially. Should we start wars or conflicts with other countries to maintain our power? Do we focus our attention toward making money from various financial schemes? Do we shrink government so much and hope that corporations and capitalism will save us? I'll wait for others to chime in before giving my ideas.
IMO: In the Middle East, we're fucked, we know it, and we refuse to do anything about it; Our best strategy is to GTFO and let those who live in the sandbox deal with their own problems. I think the reason we haven't stepped back is that wonderful Texas Tea it's sitting on. Soon, cheap energy will become a serious issue, and the American people "need" to have gas at the pump, electricity at the wall, and 100% plastic clothes, utensils, tools, medicine (Aspirin is 100% petrochemical), etc, etc, and we "need" a source. With the Afghan army shooting our soldiers, I think it's safe to say that we have overstayed our welcome, and they want us out as soon as fucking possible. It's interesting to see how everything unfolds in the DPRK, Kim Jong Un has done some serious changes and house cleaning in his military ranks, and it looks like he might start opening the country up; Only time will tell, though. They can't rely solely on China for everything they have, anymore. One day (and I think it's coming fast) they will open up, and act like a normal country with an oppressive dictator, like *cough cough* Russia *cough cough* China is probably the richest and most powerful (not militarily, but from sheer "by the balls" factors) nation in the world, and they know it. China has been around for umpteen thousand years, they have a serious long view when it comes to running a country, even if they are commies. However, soon I think they are going to develop to a point that they don't want the manufacturing jobs, and then they will return to the U.S. or Taiwan; Will that happen tomorrow? Nope, but give it 25-50 years and we'll start to see a reversal of the rust-belt's last 25-50 years. On a global scale, as much as it pains me to say this, the United States is done. We will never be as powerful as we were during the last century, and I don't think we'll ever be a super power again... America is still behaving and running on ideas for a wold that no longer exists; We are the old man sitting in the nursing home in his wheel chair talking about "the good ol' days" while waiting to die. We will recover... eventually; but bye-bye rich and powerful capitalists. I find some peace in the fact that one day (maybe soon) the Earth will shake us humans off like a bad case of fleas, and we'll be nothing but a forgotten memory
I disagree and think places like India or other countries not developing as fast as China will be getting the jobs when the time comes, not the US. I agree with the rest though.
You could be right, I'm willing to admit I am probably wrong. I just think it depends on labour, and other manufacturing costs that will dictate who gets to become the worlds next industrial powerhouse, and the future U.S. seems to me like a strong contender.
Education and jobs are the key to any form of survival for USA. Does anyone see any improovements in those areas? I see just the oposite. I pretty much agree with Shane. We will continue to spend beyond our means on an unsustainable military stradegy in the middle east to protect our supply of energy because oil corps dictate to the guv. We will continue to sacrifice health and education to afford the military that is holding up the sides of a huge house of cards we built for ourselves. You'd think people would learn from history eh?
Everybody should read The Post American World by Fareed Zakaria. http://www.amazon.com/The-Post-Amer...345641137&sr=8-1&keywords=post american world
the phrase "crash and burn" sums up my prediction for the next 10-15 years. after that? no idea. at least there is always the friendly doorstep of Canada to make a new and probably better life in. well, at least until everyone else tries to get in as well.
Hmmm...ripe for the picking. Time to take over the USA. Oh wait...Canada is already overburdened with peeps from poor countries...time to shut our doors. No more immigrants.
Things have been better, but the USA is still THE global super power. China is coming up fast economically though.
Because we are #1 in every important measurable category! We have the #1 military in the world and that's all that matters...right?
Well there's GDP, which is more than double that of China as of 2011. And of course the military thing. America is still a wealthy and powerful nation, and with the right direction could remain so.
But that all changes as the outgo supercedes the income. that almighty military could be the major reason for a downfall. we can only remain unsustainable for so long. I see your 'The Post American World' and raise you a 'After Armageddon'
