Opinion is free, facts are sacred :). And there is an important difference between a random opinion (I disagree) and insight. The latter is a reproducible deduction is obtained by careful analysis of the facts at hand.

Of course, like the +800 physical US military bases and 800 bln annual military budget, eclipsing the next 11 countries including China and Russia, these facts can simply be ignored for what they stand for That is always the prerogative of those that hold the power...that is...until they don't.

And as a multi-polar world is now fast rising ignoring this new reality is becoming less and less possible. Which I believe is for better.