Report: U.S. Dominance and Influence Predicted to Fade

[Statick]

Report: U.S. Dominance and Influence Predicted to Fade

Alarming government report predicts environmental catastrophe, threat of nuclear war and the decline of America as the dominant global power by 2025.

Friday, November 21, 2008

The next two decades will see a world living with the daily threat of nuclear war, environmental catastrophe and the decline of America as the dominant global power, according to a frighteningly bleak assessment by the U.S. intelligence community.

"The world of the near future will be subject to an increased likelihood of conflict over resources, including food and water, and will be haunted by the persistence of rogue states and terrorist groups with greater access to nuclear weapons," said the report by the National Intelligence Council.

The analysts said that the report had been prepared in time for Barack Obama's entry into the Oval office on January 20, where he will be faced with some of the greatest challenges of any newly-elected president.

"The likelihood that nuclear weapons will be used will increase with expanded access to technology and a widening range of options for limited strikes," the 121-page assessment said.

The analysts draw attention to an already escalating nuclear arms race in the Middle East and anticipate that a growing number of rogue states will be prepared to share their destructive technology with terror groups.

"Over the next 15-20 years reactions to the decisions Iran makes about its nuclear program could cause a number of regional states to intensify these efforts and consider actively pursuing nuclear weapons," the report Global Trends 2025 said. "This will add a new and more dangerous dimension to what is likely to be increasing competition for influence within the region," it said.

The spread of nuclear capabilities will raise questions about the ability of weak states to safeguard them, it added. "If the number of nuclear-capable states increases, so will the number of countries potentially willing to provide nuclear assistance to other countries or to terrorists."

The report, a year in the making, said that global warming will aggravate the scarcity of water, food and energy resources. Citing a British study, it said that climate change could force up to 200 million people to migrate to more temperate zones. "Widening gaps in birth rates and wealth-to-poverty ratios, and the impact of climate change, could further exacerbate tensions," it said.

The report says the warming earth will extend Russia and Canada's growing season and ease their access to northern oil fields, strengthening their economies. But Russia's potential emergence as a world power may be clouded by lagging investment in its energy sector, persistent crime and government corruption, the report says.

"The international system will be almost unrecognizable by 2025, owing to the rise of emerging powers, a globalizing economy, a transfer of wealth from West to East, and the growing influence of non-state actors. Although the United States is likely to remain the single most powerful actor, the United States' relative strength -- even in the military realm -- will decline and US leverage will become more strained."

Global power will be multipolar with the rise of India and China, and the Korean peninsula will be unified in some form. Turning to the current financial situation, the analysts say that the financial crisis on Wall Street is the beginning of a global economic rebalancing.

The U.S. dollar's role as the major world currency will weaken to the point where it becomes a "first among equals."

"Strategic rivalries are most likely to revolve around trade, investments and technological innovation, but we cannot rule out a 19th-century-like scenario of arms races, territorial expansion and military rivalries." The report, based on a global survey of experts and trends, was more pessimistic about America's global status than previous outlooks prepared every four years. It said that outcomes will depend in part on the actions of political leaders. "The next 20 years of transition to a new system are fraught with risks," it said.

The analysts also give warning that the kind of organized crime plaguing Russia could eventually take over the government of an Eastern or Central European country, and that countries in Africa and South Asia may find themselves ungoverned, as states wither away under pressure from security threats and diminishing resources..

The intelligence community expects that terrorism would survive until 2025, but in slightly different form, suggesting that Al Qaeda's "terrorist wave" might be breaking up. "Al Qaeda's inability to attract broad-based support might cause it to decay sooner than people think," it said.

On a positive note it added that an alternative to oil might be in place by 2025.

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I remember doing a report about this during my college years. I predicted that countries like India and China, if they don't get serious with controlling their populations will suffer the most, physically and financially, due to overpopulation. I also see more prejudices growing along socioeconomic lines instead of racial due to the changing racial makeup of America in 50 years.

Ha. No surprise hearing about the Middle East. I think everyone predicts that some nutjob terrorists will get their hands on a nuke eventually.

[jdu00743]

Not surprised...Sounds about right to me. We won't always be on top.

[backnblack]

Whoever comes up with the new technologies--specifically the new energies--will be the most powerful, so to speak. Green is not only good but essential to survival. I can't help but think there will be some sort of catastrophic health issue that will arise to thin the herd a bit. The reason things seem more catastrophic is probably that our expectations of a relatively painless existence have become so much more common. A long life now is one that spans a century whereas a century ago it was one that spanned maybe 70 years or less. People died of appendicitis all the time back then whereas now that person lives long enough to die of cancer or heart disease. Sobering times no doubt.

[Tony Diesel]

of course.

There could be a new currency issued as soon as early 2009. Its THAT bad.

The United States as you know it, is practically over.

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

I heard there will be a very large migration to Russia from this country. Like a last ditch survival tactic.

Can you imagine that?

[Statick]

I heard there will be a very large migration to Russia from this country. Like a last ditch survival tactic.

Can you imagine that?

Due to what?

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

Due to what?

Culture wars.

[octoslash]

"You fellas are gonna git the drizzles if ya don't relax."

---Augustus McRae

[Statick]

Culture wars.

That actually happened back before the Civil Rights Era. (I found that out when someone asked if there were Black Russians (no, not the drink...).

The Russians actually offered Black Americans refuge from the persecution from the racism in the South. Some even took up the offer.

[backnblack]

That actually happened back before the Civil Rights Era. (I found that out when someone asked if there were Black Russians (no, not the drink...).

The Russians actually offered Black Americans refuge from the persecution from the racism in the South. Some even took up the offer.

Lee Harvey Oswald too.

[cord2001]

The Bush US policy advocated preemptive wars. The rest of the world blames the US for bringing them into a world recession. The US has become the largest debtor nation in the world and in turn it has spilled over to hurting other countries economies. The US is regarded by some as an out of control country who thinks of themselves as the worlds only super power and would like to keep it that way. I wonder why the rest of the world is so mad at us when we have done nothing wrong.

[Tony Diesel]

I heard there will be a very large migration to Russia from this country. Like a last ditch survival tactic.

Why? This is a GLOBAL depression.

What makes you think the Ruskies would even accept massive American immigration?

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

(no, not the drink...).

The Russians actually offered Black Americans refuge from the persecution from the racism in the South. Some even took up the offer.

They were more tolerant to the Russian cold climate than most black Americans I suppose? :P

[octoslash]

Well Steve Hawking says we're going to fix everything by colonizing Mars.

I'd say the chances of that happening are greater than massive migrations to Russia for crissake.

[Statick]

They were more tolerant to the Russian cold climate than most black Americans I suppose? :P

More likely less tolerant to the American cold race relations climate.

[WHODAT BEAST IN THE CELLAR]

Why? This is a GLOBAL depression.

It's just what I've heard due to third world immigration overpopulation into the country.

What makes you think the Ruskies would even accept massive American immigration?

Third world or other?

[Tony Diesel]

It's just what I've heard due to third world immigration overpopulation into the country.

Third world or other?

If there is a large migration, it won't be to Russia. I mean, we are close to a new cold war. Plus, its not like English is widely spoken. I would say Australia and New Zealand would be more likely candidates.

Things will not be better anywhere else, it might hit Americans worse emotionally because we live like bloated Roman Emperors.

[logic]

Rev. Wright told you those chickens were coming home, and you wanted to shoot the messenger...smh

[Julian St.Clor]

Rev. Wright told you those chickens were coming home, and you wanted to shoot the messenger...smh

True

Rev.wright always spoke the truth..And I for one cant wait until the day the US has to answer to nations such as china