THE END OF THE AMERICAN CENTURY?

Great powers (International relations); Power (Social sciences); Public debts; Foreign relations of the United States in the 21st century; Nuclear weapons; International organization

In this article the author explores various reasons he believes the status of the U.S. as the world's lone superpower may be coming to an end in 2011. Issues cited by the author in his explanation include the federal government's debt as well as U.S. military operations in foreign lands. He also explores how soft and hard power play a role in the ability of the U.S. to recover its superpower status and discusses the possible role of nuclear weapons in future foreign conflicts.