The Changing Realities of World Power

Leon Hadar argues in this interesting article for a recognition that important U.S. allies such as Japan and Turkey will be seeking to readjust their relationship with the U.S. in light of its declining power, by reaching out to former enemies in their regions, for example.

But while the United States will not collapse with a bang a la Soviet Union, a process of gradual waning of American power has been taking place for a while, with the notion of a U.S. monopoly in the international system being replaced with the concept of oligopoly of great powers. The United States will cease being Number One and will start playing the role of first among equals -- or primus inter pares -- for some years to come. In fact, that process is already taking place, and some of the governments that are sensing that America is starting to lose its mojo include two staunch U.S. allies, Japan and Turkey, whose leaders have been trying to adjust their policies to the realities of the changing balance of power, as they hedge their strategic bets and diversify their global portfolio in response to the waning Pax Americana.

Obama, it seems to me, could be an important player in this readjustment. I'm not sure he's got the right advisors for this, but then again, maybe he does. He is still getting his 'sea legs' as President, and he's a smart cookie, with a long-range internationalist perspective.