America’s Unstoppable Decline—and Why Trump will accelerate it

By Irshad Akhtar

For the better part of a century, the United States operated under the assumption that it was the unassailable leader of the free world. It boasted cultural influence through Hollywood and Silicon Valley, military reach extending to the far corners of the globe, and economic dominance underwritten by the almighty dollar. But the past few decades have revealed glaring contradictions in this comforting story. Mounting debt, widening wealth gaps, failed military ventures, and the rise of new global power centers indicate that America’s decline is no longer a mere possibility—it is an unfolding reality.

While many American leaders remain stubbornly in denial, this decline is not necessarily a cataclysm for ordinary Americans or the world at large. In fact, the emerging multipolar landscape could pave the way for a fairer and more balanced global community—one where the average American is more closely aligned with people in developing nations than with the corporate titans calling the shots from lofty boardrooms. In this article, we will dissect the myriad factors driving America’s decline, illustrating why it can no longer be ignored, and explore how this seismic shift can ultimately serve the greater good—if only the American public and global citizens unite in demanding it.

1. Military Failures: The Shattered Myth of Global Policeman

Vietnam: Early Warning Signs The downfall of the United States as a supposedly invincible force can be traced back to the Vietnam War. This conflict, waged from 1955 to 1975, ended in humiliating defeat with the fall of Saigon, despite the deployment of over half a million U.S. troops and staggering expenditures. More than 58,000 American lives were lost. For the first time, the U.S. public glimpsed the limits of American might, sparking deep wounds in the national psyche—wounds that would remain raw even as subsequent leaders attempted to recast America as a global policeman.

Afghanistan: Two Trillion Dollars for a Taliban Resurgence In Afghanistan, the U.S. spent two decades and over $2 trillion to dismantle the Taliban and establish a democratic government. When the withdrawal finally occurred in 2021, the Taliban swept back into power almost immediately. Decades of effort, financial strain, and thousands of American and Afghan casualties amounted to little more than a fleeting occupation. This painful outcome drove home the message that the colossal American war machine, while unrivaled in hardware, has repeatedly failed to convert battlefield success into long-term stability.

Iraq and Its Ongoing Fallout The 2003 invasion of Iraq, carried out under the banner of destroying nonexistent Weapons of Mass Destruction, resulted in yet another quagmire. Thousands of U.S. soldiers were killed, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis died, and the cost ultimately topped $1 trillion. Far from stabilizing the region, the intervention dismantled Iraq’s governmental framework, allowing extremist groups like ISIS to flourish. These repeated fiascos expose a sobering truth: the U.S. can knock down regimes but consistently fails to rebuild countries or maintain durable peace.

Ukraine: Funding Another Stalemate? Although American soldiers aren’t officially on the ground in Ukraine, billions of dollars in U.S. military aid suggests that Washington is once again knee-deep in a prolonged conflict with an uncertain endgame. This involvement keeps draining financial resources that could be used at home—highlighting, yet again, the American tendency to overextend. For many observers across the globe, these interventions underscore America’s inability to shape outcomes decisively, contributing to growing doubt about its superpower status.

When viewed cumulatively, these military misadventures strongly signal an empire overstretched. They stand as testament not only to strategic blunders but also to the dwindling global appetite for U.S. “liberations.” For Americans, the message is clear: it’s no longer feasible for the U.S. to run the world by force—and that might actually be a positive development for everyone else.

2. The Debt Mountain: $34 Trillion and Counting

The Bottomless Pit of Deficit Spending America’s government debt surpassing $30 trillion—and climbing toward $34 trillion—is more than just an accounting issue. Servicing this debt each year demands billions in interest payments, money that can’t be invested in roads, schools, or healthcare. As the debt grows, so does U.S. vulnerability to economic downturns. Once considered unthinkable, talk of a U.S. fiscal crisis no longer seems so far-fetched.

Dollar Dominance in Jeopardy One factor keeping the debt somewhat manageable has been the global dependence on the U.S. dollar. For decades, countries stockpiled dollar reserves and bought U.S. Treasury bonds, effectively financing American spending at minimal cost. But a tidal shift in the international financial ecosystem now threatens to erode the dollar’s kingpin status. If that happens, the U.S. will face harsher borrowing terms—a scenario that could force drastic budget cuts or massive inflation, spelling tougher times for everyday Americans.

The Real-World Impact Ordinary citizens pay a steep price for this reckless spending. The ballooning interest payments crowd out social programs and infrastructure upgrades. That potholed highway you dread or the aging water pipes in your town that constantly break? They’re symptomatic of a government that can’t muster the resources to reinvest in its own communities, in large part because it’s locked into paying interest on trillions of dollars in debt.

While politicians may endlessly debate debt ceilings and tax brackets, the inevitable rise in interest rates means the cost of servicing America’s obligations will surge. This will either translate into higher taxes, austerity measures, or further neglect of urgent domestic needs. Far from the triumphant economic picture painted by some leaders, the American balance sheet looks more like a ticking time bomb.

3. Crumbling Roads, Fading Dreams: The Infrastructure Crisis

A Nation Living Off Past Glories America’s infrastructure was once the envy of the world, built on the momentum of post-World War II investment. But those gleaming highways and bridges, constructed decades ago, are now aging and often failing. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, many structures are dangerously close to the end of their lifespan. The country needs trillions of dollars simply to modernize roads, bridges, public transit, airports, and water systems, yet funding remains elusive.

Why It’s More Than Just Traffic Jams Neglected infrastructure hobbles economic growth. Delays at clogged ports, spotty internet in rural areas, and aging electrical grids all increase costs for businesses and reduce competitiveness. When nations like China invest heavily in bullet trains and 5G networks, the United States remains stuck wrestling with 20th-century problems. Modernization could stimulate job creation and lift entire communities—but instead, the U.S. squanders its resources on endless foreign entanglements and spiraling debt servicing.

What It Says About American Priorities The inability to secure robust, long-term funding for infrastructure underscores a deeper problem: political short-termism. Elected officials fear proposing major spending overhauls that could raise taxes or reallocate funds away from the military-industrial complex. This short-sightedness props up a veneer of strength while bridges collapse and water systems fail. With each pothole that goes unfilled, it becomes ever clearer that the American empire is putting appearances above actual functionality.

4. Green Laggard: Why the U.S. Trails in Renewables and EVs

China’s Breakneck Lead China has sprinted to the front of the pack in renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) production. It manufactures more than half of the world’s electric cars and dominates solar panel and wind turbine markets. The U.S., conversely, lurches between half-hearted incentives for clean energy and the outdated “drill baby drill” mantra. That lack of consistency cripples American firms’ ability to innovate and scale, and it hands global leadership in renewable technology to other nations—chiefly China.

The Real Cost of Climate Denial Although drilling for more oil or loosening regulations may provide a short-term boost in employment or lower gas prices momentarily, it also locks the U.S. into fossil fuel dependency. In an era where the world is shifting toward cleaner technologies, clinging to oil and gas is a recipe for irrelevance. Moreover, climate change is wreaking havoc with floods, wildfires, and storms that demand massive public resources. By sidestepping a thorough transition to renewables, America not only loses out on future industries but also burdens itself with enormous climate-related cleanup costs.

Missing the Next Tech Boom Renewable energy isn’t just an environmental concern; it’s the engine of future wealth creation. Battery technology, solar infrastructure, and hydrogen fuel cells represent massive growth markets. Tech-savvy nations that invest in these areas will dictate the global terms of trade in the coming decades. America’s dithering—owing partly to lobbyists and special interests entrenched in fossil fuels—could seal its fate as a secondary player in the energy revolution.

5. Oligarchs in Control: The American Democracy Redefined

Widening Wealth Chasms With a wealth gap unseen since the Gilded Age, the U.S. is gradually morphing into an oligarchy. Data show that the top 1% controls more than 30% of national wealth, while the bottom 50% can barely scrape together 2%. The resulting social unrest fuels protest movements and populist anger, but systemic inequality continues to deepen.

Billionaire Puppeteers Figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg are not merely business leaders—they shape public discourse and policy decisions. When they speak, markets shift. When they donate, politicians listen. This power dynamic suggests that the electoral process and legislative agendas increasingly cater to the interests of a few tech giants and hedge fund managers rather than the average American voter.

An Oligarchy in All But Name Critics argue that American democracy is illusory—one that allows people to vote yet rarely challenges the frameworks that keep wealth concentrated at the top. Gerrymandering, corporate-funded think tanks, and outsized lobbying budgets ensure that any substantial redistribution or system overhaul is unlikely. This status quo not only betrays the American dream; it undermines faith in the country’s entire political system.

6. Dollar Dethroned: BRICS, China, and the Rise of Multipolar Finance

Cracks in the Dollar Empire For decades, the U.S. dollar dominated world trade and served as the preferred reserve currency. Countries had little choice but to rely on it for international transactions, which gave the United States unparalleled power to impose sanctions and finance its deficits cheaply. Now, however, the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are exploring alternatives to the dollar. Russia and China, for instance, settle significant portions of their bilateral trade in rubles or yuan, circumventing dollar-centric payment systems.

Eroding Influence As alternative financial systems gain traction, the U.S. finds itself less able to unilaterally dictate economic rules. Central banks from emerging markets are diversifying reserves away from the greenback, exploring gold or even digital currencies. This slow-motion currency evolution might not dethrone the dollar overnight, but it erodes American financial clout—a key pillar of U.S. supremacy—each passing day.

A Shock on the Horizon If the dollar’s dominance significantly wanes, the U.S. would face higher borrowing costs, possible inflation spikes, and reduced leverage in global crises. Such a shift may seem distant, but the trajectory is unmistakable. Countries that once feared American sanctions are now finding alternative trade routes, effectively insulating themselves from Washington’s wrath. For everyday Americans, a declining dollar means pricier imports and a reduced standard of living—a stark indicator that the heyday of effortless global dominance is waning.

7. The Trump Phenomenon: Denial Wrapped in Populism

He Says It, They Cheer—But Does It Make Sense? Donald Trump’s rise to power was fueled by a potent blend of anger, nostalgia, and denial. Claiming to “Make America Great Again,” he delivered blunt soundbites—tariffs to protect jobs, “drill baby drill” for energy independence, and pleas to OPEC to lower oil prices—that resonate emotionally but crumple under scrutiny. More than a coherent policy framework, his appeal was to the visceral need many Americans felt for reassurance in the face of a precarious future.

Populism’s Narrow Vision Populism offers short-term emotional relief without addressing the complex factors behind America’s economic and strategic woes. Implementing tariffs might momentarily help certain U.S. industries, but they prompt retaliation, increasing prices and reducing exports. Insisting on fossil fuel expansion might reduce immediate prices at the pump, but it also cedes leadership in green technology to other nations. Rather than propose deep structural reforms, such rhetoric keeps the public engaged in a fantasy that avoids acknowledging the root causes of decline.

A Comforting Illusion of Grandeur Trump’s style of politics extends and amplifies America’s denial. By scapegoating immigrants, global institutions, or foreign nations, the administration diverted attention from domestic failings—like staggering inequality or the absence of robust public healthcare. This denial is not just a political convenience; it’s a national coping mechanism that prevents the country from confronting the reality that its power is eroding.

8. Tariff Tantrums: How Protectionism Speeds America’s Fade

Shooting Oneself in the Foot Trump-era tariffs were meant to safeguard American jobs. In practice, they triggered retaliatory measures that hurt U.S. exporters, especially farmers who lost vital markets in China. The uncertainty also forced multinational companies to reshuffle their supply chains, often bypassing American labor entirely. Instead of revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing base, protectionism accelerated the push to find cheaper, more stable alternatives abroad.

Missing Out on Global Deals While the U.S. embraces protective walls, other nations are hammering out free trade agreements that exclude America. For instance, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Asia is redefining trade rules for a huge chunk of the global economy, without American input. Being locked out of large-scale deals dims the U.S. ability to shape international norms, effectively sidelining it in the worldwide marketplace.

A Harsh Lesson in Connectivity In an interconnected era, slapping tariffs and cutting ties can hasten decline rather than foster resilience. Economies evolve quickly, and countries that integrate seamlessly into global networks reap the benefits of shared innovation, talent flows, and collective bargaining power. American protectionism, rooted in denial of these new realities, only reinforces the notion that the U.S. is turning inward as the rest of the world forges ahead.

9. The Hidden Hand: Global Elites Shifting Away from the American Model

Davos Elites and Their Agenda Increasingly, multinational elites operate beyond the bounds of traditional nation-states. Their loyalty aligns with profit rather than patriotism. If investing in Chinese mega-infrastructure projects yields higher returns than investing in American manufacturing, they have no qualms about pivoting capital eastward. This is capitalism taken to its borderless extreme, leaving national interests—and the American middle class—on the losing side.

Pivoting to BRICS+? If these globally connected elites decide that the BRICS nations offer better long-term prospects, they will direct their wealth, talent, and resources there. Whether it’s setting up R&D centers in Shenzhen, factories in India, or resource extraction in Brazil, they have little incentive to stay married to the American economic model. This exodus of capital accelerates America’s decline from within, siphoning off jobs, expertise, and tax revenue.

Who’s Left Behind? For average Americans, the erosion of local manufacturing and community wealth is acutely painful—deteriorating small towns, job scarcity, and inadequate public services. The global rich remain insulated, thriving in enclaves of luxury wherever they set up shop. Meanwhile, ordinary U.S. citizens find themselves more closely aligned with people in other countries who are also subject to the decisions of faceless financial institutions and multinational conglomerates.

10. Embracing the Inevitable: Why Decline Can Be Good for America—and the World

Waking Up from the Superpower Delusion Acknowledging America’s decline is a crucial first step toward meaningful reform. As long as the U.S. clings to its outdated vision of unipolar dominance, it will invest in vanity projects—be they military adventurism or futile attempts to revive dying industries—rather than preparing for a radically transformed global order. By confronting these shortcomings, Americans could redirect resources from endless war budgets to the real priorities: infrastructure, education, healthcare, and renewable energy.

A Chance for a Fairer Global Balance A multipolar world, led by the collective weight of China, the BRICS, and other regional blocs, might end the era of American unilateralism—often driven by corporate or geopolitical interests. This shift could allow smaller nations to have a stronger voice, encouraging fairer trade policies and a more equitable distribution of global wealth. Far from a doomsday scenario, a balanced multipolar system could empower ordinary citizens in the U.S. and beyond.

Aligning American Public with Global Interests The real story isn’t America vs. China, or any single rivalry. It’s everyday people worldwide trying to secure basic rights and a decent standard of living against the dominance of a global elite. American workers have more in common with struggling families in India or Brazil than with the ultra-wealthy in Manhattan. As the old American-dominated model declines, it opens the door to alliances across borders—grassroots coalitions that can demand fair wages, sustainable practices, and democratic accountability.

11. How Denial Delays the Inevitable—and Hurts Americans Most

Populist Narratives: The Ultimate Diversion Leaders who promise a return to “greatness” often distract the public from identifying real, systemic problems. By stoking fear of “others”—immigrants, global competitors, or alleged internal saboteurs—they foster a culture of denial that delays the tough conversations the nation urgently needs.

The High Price of Delusion While denial can be psychologically comforting, it ratchets up the cost of necessary reforms. Infrastructure continues to decay. The gap between the super-rich and everyone else keeps widening. The national debt balloons. And global alliances keep shifting, forging a world in which American inputs are less relevant. By the time political will coalesces to address these issues, the problems become far more entrenched, demanding even more drastic solutions.

Turning Point or Collapse? Every empire in history has faced moments where it could adapt or fall. Rome, Britain, the Soviet Union—all discovered that denial only hastens collapse. The U.S. now stands at a similar juncture. It can cling to myths of perpetual supremacy, or it can accept the reality that the global balance of power is changing—and work collaboratively to ensure it remains a constructive part of that new balance.

12. Conclusion: Leveraging Decline into Collective Gain

America’s decline is no longer a theory. It’s a reality visible in every crumbling bridge, every lost war, and every debt ceiling showdown that exposes the country’s precarious finances. The myth of unchallenged global leadership is eroding as rising powers like China—and coalitions like BRICS—chart their own paths to success. Meanwhile, American billionaires and global elites look beyond U.S. borders to safeguard and expand their fortunes.

Yet, paradoxically, this decline offers a rare opportunity for profound transformation. A humbler America could invest in truly modern infrastructure, pivot decisively to green energy, and rebalance a dangerously skewed political economy. It could repair the social contract by curbing the power of oligarchs, implementing fair taxation, and ensuring that everyday workers share in economic gains.

On the world stage, a U.S. no longer obsessed with projecting military force in every corner could engage other nations as partners rather than subordinates. A more balanced, multipolar system could allow for greater inclusion of diverse voices and fairer trade arrangements that benefit the global poor—and struggling Americans—more than the billionaire class. Rather than fixate on a fading dream, Americans could join hands with people everywhere to demand a just, sustainable future.

Yes, acknowledging decline feels unsettling. But denial only prolongs the pain, deepens the crises, and postpones the reforms that could help the U.S. reinvent itself in ways that serve the majority rather than the privileged few. Recognizing that the glory days of unchecked American supremacy have passed might be a blessing in disguise—a catalyst for building a more equitable society at home and contributing to a fairer world order abroad.

If Americans embrace this turning point, they might find that stepping off the pedestal of sole superpower status is not the tragedy their leaders make it out to be, but rather the first step in forging a future that benefits all—Americans included.