Over the last several years, international tensions in the political realm has risen exponentially. Since 1991 and the end of the cold war, the United States has remained the de-facto leader of the free world and the dominant superpower. But over the last several decades following the 2008 recession and the September 11th terrorist attacks, this has markedly changed. Economically, socially, politically and culturally the country is on a marked decline. Inflation peaked in late 2022 after nearly two years of rising costs; while costs continue to rise in the present- the damage has been done. Basic necessities have become nearly unaffordable for many working class Americans, and the middle class continues to shrink. In 99% of the country, home ownership has been deemed nearly impossible for those making around the median household income of about $70,000 annually.
Two armed conflicts rage in the middle east and in Europe. In early 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, bringing armed conflict back to the continent for the first time since the Second World War. Casualties in that conflict are estimated to number in the hundreds of thousands, and the war is a virtual stalemate which has been concentrated in the eastern portion of Ukraine. In October of 2023, Israel was attacked by Hamas, an Islamic terrorist group. Over 1,000 innocent civilians were murdered in the October 7th incidents and since then war has raged in Gaza. Thousands of lives have been lost.
As international tensions continue to spiral, America appears weak and powerless to stop any of it. The countries chief foreign adversary, China, continues to threaten U.S. dominance in the pacific region. Much of the tension surrounds the island of Taiwan. China claims sovereignty over the island of Taiwan, and the recent elections in that country resulted in the election of a pro-independence politician. It is unlikely tensions will decrease anytime soon. The future in terms of international politics is quite uncertain.
