But again, what matters is that these changes in the global balance of power don’t develop in a linear fashion and tend to run contrary to earlier predictions. Many strategic thinkers forecasted at the end of the nineteenth century, in particular following the Boer Wars, that the British Empire was on its last legs, only to have the World Wars change those expectations. Yet, in the end, the fat lady did sing, and Pax Britannica came to an end.

Dr. Leon Hadar, a contributing editor at The National Interest, has taught international relations at American University and was a research fellow with the Cato Institute. A former UN correspondent for the Jerusalem Post, he currently covers Washington for the Business Times of Singapore and is a columnist/blogger with Israel’s Haaretz.

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