| Photo by Kadin Hatch on Unsplash
For years now, a familiar narrative has been circulating in global strategic discussions: the United States is in decline. From academic conferences to political commentary and social media debates, many observers have argued that America’s influence is fading as new powers rise and geopolitical dynamics shift.
This narrative has been particularly popular among some analysts in Beijing and Moscow, who frequently describe a world moving toward a “post-American era.” According to this view, internal political divisions, economic competition, and war fatigue have weakened Washington’s ability to lead internationally.
But recent events once again remind the world that reports of America’s decline may be greatly exaggerated.
Ironically, even some Chinese analysts are beginning to acknowledge this. A recent item in the South China Morning Post noted that the United States’ ability to conduct rapid and precise military operations in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East has prompted debate among Chinese strategic thinkers. While the dominant narrative in China has often emphasized American decline, these developments have forced a more sober assessment of US capabilities.
The reality is that no other country today possesses the combination of military reach, technological sophistication, intelligence networks, and global alliances that the US commands.
When Washington decides to act, it can mobilize enormous resources across continents within hours. Carrier strike groups, long-range bombers, precision-guided weapons, satellite intelligence, and integrated command systems project US power in ways that remain unmatched in the modern world.
Equally important is America’s unparalleled network of alliances and partnerships.
Unlike many other major powers, the United States does not operate alone. It works within a framework of longstanding alliances built over decades, extending across Europe, Asia, and the Indo-Pacific. NATO in Europe, security partnerships with Japan and South Korea, the Australia-US alliance, and growing cooperation with countries like India form part of a strategic architecture that multiplies American power.
“In much the same way, predictions about America’s decline have often proven premature. The United States still possesses extraordinary strengths – not only in military and economic power, but also in its network of alliances and its enduring capacity for reinvention.”
This alliance network remains one of Washington’s greatest advantages, and rather than shrinking, it appears to be strengthening. NATO has expanded in response to the war in Ukraine. Security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific has intensified as countries seek to ensure stability and freedom of navigation in vital sea lanes. And for the Philippines, these developments are not simply matters of academic debate – they are directly relevant to our national security.
To be clear, maintaining a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy will always be important for the Philippines. We seek constructive relations with all countries, including China, while firmly protecting our sovereignty and national interests. At the same time, our longstanding alliance with the United States – formalized through the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty – remains a cornerstone of Philippine defense policy, evolving over decades to meet new challenges through the VFA and EDCA. Cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US continues to deepen, with expanded joint exercises, improved interoperability, and new EDCA sites under development to strengthen our collective ability to respond to humanitarian disasters and security threats.
This cooperation is set against the backdrop of continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where Filipino fishermen continually face harassment in waters recognized by international law as part of our exclusive economic zone. In this context, the credibility of alliances greatly matters. Having a reliable partner with the capacity and commitment to uphold international law contributes significantly to regional stability. It also sends an important message that rules and norms governing the global commons must be respected.
Having spent many years in Washington, I have heard predictions of America’s “fading influence” and “decline” more times than I can count. During earlier visits here decades ago, I remember similar conversations with analysts about the US supposedly losing its edge to rising powers. Yet I have consistently observed America’s remarkable capacity for renewal, proving time and again its ability to adapt to new realities, mobilize its resources, and reassert its leadership when circumstances demand it.
The American economy remains one of the most dynamic and innovative in the world, its universities and research institutions continue to drive technological breakthroughs, and its military capabilities remain formidable, supported by a defense industrial base that few nations can rival.
Perhaps most importantly, the US continues to attract partners who see value in cooperation and shared principles.
It is not to suggest that America faces no challenges. Like all nations, it must navigate domestic debates, economic competition, and evolving geopolitical realities. Yet the continued vitality of American alliances belies the notion that America is rapidly retreating from the global stage, with many countries across Europe and Asia continually drawing closer to the US.
Predictions of American decline have surfaced repeatedly throughout modern history – after the Vietnam War, during the economic competition with Japan in the 1980s, and again after the global financial crisis. Yet each time, the United States has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt, innovate, and renew its leadership.
Today’s geopolitical environment is undoubtedly more complex, with new powers rising and technologies transforming both economies and warfare. But recent events demonstrate that the United States remains a central pillar of the international system and a key anchor for stability in many regions of the world.
More than a century ago, Mark Twain famously responded to rumors of his death by saying: “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
In much the same way, predictions about America’s decline have often proven premature. The United States still possesses extraordinary strengths – not only in military and economic power, but also in its network of alliances and its enduring capacity for reinvention. For allies like the Philippines, that reality continues to matter greatly.
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