What threatens US power this century?

American leadership in the 21st century.

According to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the US is the “indispensable nation”. The benign equilibrium after the Cold War would, however, be interrupted by major escalations in inter and intra-state violence, stateless individual acts of terrorism, trends in global markets against manufacturing, China’s evolving attitude towards its world order, and, perhaps most crucially, the decreasing willingness and capacity from the US to play a role.

Nonetheless, the US still possesses an unrivalled military and large economy; it maintains alliances — although not unquestionably; it sets agendas, and attempts to promote universal values. With oceans to its east and west, friendly neighbours to its north and south, and sufficient distance between its rivals as to make imminent physical danger less likely, its geography reinforces its strength.

However, we are staring down the barrel of a world in flux. Security means something different to what it did at the turn of the century where great powers largely peacefully co-existed. Two decades, the US faces challenges. Some of which were predictable, others were not.

Namely, if it chooses, China can represent a major threat to the US. Its material growth is well documented, with its…