Six reasons to keep America as No. 1 superpower

Many around the world say American decline would preserve global stability through a better balance of power. They’re wrong, says Steve Yetiv, a political science professor at Old Dominion University. It’s not that other countries or international institutions can’t play vital roles. They do. But they can't yet do what Washington does around the world, Yetiv says. Here he gives six examples.

4. Checking terrorist groups

Washington leverages all of its resources – diplomatic, financial, military – to meet this goal, and has had major successes against Al Qaeda. Granted, America is the main target of terrorism, but terrorism can hurt many others as well.

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