Is the US Still a Superpower?

When I was born the United States was the arsenal of freedom with an economy that dwarfed the rest of the world. Today, well, let's see.

Economic
In a word, no. The United States economy is being supported by China. In the production of actual things (agriculture and industry) China is far ahead of the US. Our GDP depends on "services," the slight of hand where the idea of things are moved around. China has computers, the United States has derivatives. The US makes debt; the Chinese own debt.

China also controls much of the strategic metals of the 21st century and that is a power they are willing to use.

Military

The reason why the United States is no longer an economic superpower is the military. The United States chews up a spectacular 46.5% of global military spending. But, what has that gotten us?

We have the nuclear power necessary the obliterate any nation on the Earth at will.

Yea, us!

Beyond that, we have what is generally considered the most powerful conventional military on Earth. And, along with Israel, we have the most battle tested military going. For what its worth.

• After seven years and 35,000 casualties we have to maintain a 50,000 man force in Iraq to prevent it from allying completely with Iran.
• In our 10th year in Afghanistan (a country the size of Texas with the GDP of Vermont) we are losing the war. 
• Our only real enemy, al Qaeda, thrives.

We have troops spread throughout the world but when it comes to combat we cannot muster enough force in any one location to accomplish much of anything.

So, is the United States still a superpower? Economically, the answer is a clear no. We are like a ne'er-do-well son who squanders his allowance on gambling and debt. Militarily, we are a lumbering giant. Big and powerful but unable to accomplish much of anything. Does that make the United States a superpower or a pathetic titan?

The best picture I could fine of the United States
military's global influence.