America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

US Military Power, Iran, and Perception of Decline

• Several comments argue the Iran war exposes severe U.S. limits: rapid depletion of precision munitions, inability to sustain high-intensity campaigns, and vulnerability in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Air power is portrayed as insufficient for regime change without massive ground forces, which are seen as politically and logistically impossible.
• Others push back that Iran is not invincible: no real air force or navy and limited ability to defend infrastructure, though they concede asymmetric tools (drones, cheap missiles, mining/shipping insurance) are powerful.
• Overall, participants see this conflict as further eroding the myth of U.S. military omnipotence, akin to Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

China, Taiwan, and Strategic Calculus

• One strong view: Iran reveals U.S. inability to fight a long war, giving China a “green light” on Taiwan, especially given China’s potential for mass missile/drone production.
• Counterpoints:
  • China lacks combat experience and may have corrupt, untested command structures.
  • Taiwan’s geography and the Taiwan Strait make invasion extremely risky; it could be China’s “Vietnam.”
  • Demographics (one-child legacy) might dampen domestic tolerance for heavy casualties, though others argue poor, indoctrinated populations will still fight.
• Some argue China benefits more from patience: keep growing industry, exploit U.S. missteps, and perhaps secure Taiwan later through political/economic pressure.
• There is disagreement over Taiwan’s long-term choices: some foresee eventual “soft” integration with China; others say Hong Kong’s fate has made that politically impossible for decades.

Geopolitical Consequences and Energy

• Many see the U.S. acting as a “rogue” power, alienating Europe, Gulf states, and Asia while handing strategic advantage to Russia and China.
• High energy prices, shipping risks in Hormuz, and sanctions dynamics are discussed as likely to hurt U.S. allies more than Iran, which is already adapted to isolation.
• Some expect this to accelerate global diversification away from U.S. security guarantees and toward alternatives like Belt and Road, BRICS finance, and non-U.S. tech providers.

“Deep State,” Institutions, and Media

• Extended debate over the “deep state”:
  • Definitions range from permanent civil service, to military–industrial complex, to ultra-wealthy interests.
  • Some see it as a necessary administrative backbone; others as an unconstitutional power center.
• The Atlantic is viewed as an establishment outlet; paywall complaints lead to sharing of workarounds.