This article examines the decline of American power in the global arena and compares it with the experience of the Soviet Union in the final decades of its hegemonic life. An analysis of American failures in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and Ukraine shows that interventionist policies and attempts to consolidate global dominance have, contrary to expectations, led to a decline in effectiveness and internal crisis. The article also shows that the United States, with its similar experience as the Soviet Union in proxy wars, facing local resistance, and international pressures, has found itself in a state of “strategic anxiety.”
Publish dateSaturday 29 November 2025 - 15:48
Story Code : 338548
Contemporary history has shown that no global hegemon can sustainably maintain its power based on force and military intervention. The Soviet Union began its decline in the 1980s with its entry into the Afghan war and internal pressures. Today, the United States faces similar defeats on several global fronts: from the Middle East wars to the Ukrainian crisis and domestic and international pressures.
The historical experience of the Soviet Union and the current situation of the United States show that absolute hegemony cannot be sustained without international legitimacy and acceptance.
1. US defeats on global fronts
1.1. Afghanistan and Iraq
- After more than two decades of military presence in Afghanistan, the United States faced a humiliating retreat, and the Taliban once again took control of the country.
- In Iraq, despite the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and efforts to create a government aligned with Washington, the country was embroiled in sectarian insurgencies and security crises.
1.2. Lebanon and Palestine
- US intervention in Lebanon and Palestine failed to stabilize the aligned regimes, and the Islamic resistance not only did not disappear, but also increased its influence and legitimacy.
- The US efforts to assassinate resistance leaders were an example of the country's strategic failure, as the assassination failed to achieve its political and military goals.
1.3. Ukraine
The Ukrainian war is an example of the failure of US foreign policy. Despite providing weapons and political support, the US has not been able to achieve its desired strategic outcome and is experiencing direct economic and military pressures.
2. Comparison with the Soviet Union
2.1. Experience of the Afghan War
The Soviet Union faced strategic defeat and international pressures when it entered Afghanistan and faced widespread resistance.
- The US also had a similar experience in Afghanistan, and its failure to achieve political and military goals is comparable to the Soviet Union.
2.2. Domestic crisis and legitimacy
The Soviet Union faced corruption, economic crisis, and insufficient legitimacy during the Gorbachev era.
- The US today is also experiencing political division, economic crisis, and social pressures that have reduced its hegemonic ability.
2.3. Historical Lessons
- Local and international resistance against hegemonic powers is a historical experience that can also be observed against the United States today.
- Military actions and direct intervention, without legitimate domestic and international support, lead to failure.
3. America’s strategic anxiety
- The United States is currently engaged in several military, political, and economic fronts and has not achieved significant gains from its interventions.
- Examples of this situation include: failure in Ukraine, failure in the Middle East, and increasing global pressures.
- The possibility of future American actions, including proxy wars or intervention in Venezuela, will be limited and ineffective.
4. Global and strategic implications
- The world today is mobilized against the hegemonic policies of the United States with increasing alliances and cooperation among independent and emerging powers.
- The decline of the United States provides an opportunity to redefine the global order, the growth of regional powers, and the increasing legitimacy of global resistance to hegemonic domination.
Conclusion
1. The United States is in a state of declining hegemony today, similar to the Soviet Union in the 1980s.
2. America’s military and political defeats in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and Ukraine demonstrate its strategic failure.
3. Domestic crisis and political division have created conditions of strategic anxiety similar to the Soviet Union.
4. Global resistance and international pressures have increased America’s limitations.
5. The lesson of history is that hegemony cannot be sustained without legitimacy, popular support, and international acceptance.
The historical experience of the Soviet Union and the current situation of the United States show that absolute hegemony cannot be sustained without international legitimacy and acceptance.
1. US defeats on global fronts
1.1. Afghanistan and Iraq
- After more than two decades of military presence in Afghanistan, the United States faced a humiliating retreat, and the Taliban once again took control of the country.
- In Iraq, despite the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and efforts to create a government aligned with Washington, the country was embroiled in sectarian insurgencies and security crises.
1.2. Lebanon and Palestine
- US intervention in Lebanon and Palestine failed to stabilize the aligned regimes, and the Islamic resistance not only did not disappear, but also increased its influence and legitimacy.
- The US efforts to assassinate resistance leaders were an example of the country's strategic failure, as the assassination failed to achieve its political and military goals.
1.3. Ukraine
The Ukrainian war is an example of the failure of US foreign policy. Despite providing weapons and political support, the US has not been able to achieve its desired strategic outcome and is experiencing direct economic and military pressures.
2. Comparison with the Soviet Union
2.1. Experience of the Afghan War
The Soviet Union faced strategic defeat and international pressures when it entered Afghanistan and faced widespread resistance.
- The US also had a similar experience in Afghanistan, and its failure to achieve political and military goals is comparable to the Soviet Union.
2.2. Domestic crisis and legitimacy
The Soviet Union faced corruption, economic crisis, and insufficient legitimacy during the Gorbachev era.
- The US today is also experiencing political division, economic crisis, and social pressures that have reduced its hegemonic ability.
2.3. Historical Lessons
- Local and international resistance against hegemonic powers is a historical experience that can also be observed against the United States today.
- Military actions and direct intervention, without legitimate domestic and international support, lead to failure.
3. America’s strategic anxiety
- The United States is currently engaged in several military, political, and economic fronts and has not achieved significant gains from its interventions.
- Examples of this situation include: failure in Ukraine, failure in the Middle East, and increasing global pressures.
- The possibility of future American actions, including proxy wars or intervention in Venezuela, will be limited and ineffective.
4. Global and strategic implications
- The world today is mobilized against the hegemonic policies of the United States with increasing alliances and cooperation among independent and emerging powers.
- The decline of the United States provides an opportunity to redefine the global order, the growth of regional powers, and the increasing legitimacy of global resistance to hegemonic domination.
Conclusion
1. The United States is in a state of declining hegemony today, similar to the Soviet Union in the 1980s.
2. America’s military and political defeats in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and Ukraine demonstrate its strategic failure.
3. Domestic crisis and political division have created conditions of strategic anxiety similar to the Soviet Union.
4. Global resistance and international pressures have increased America’s limitations.
5. The lesson of history is that hegemony cannot be sustained without legitimacy, popular support, and international acceptance.
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