@denisbloodnok @CptSuperlative these are the actions a of a fading empire. Internal pressures will make them stop, eventually. The death throes are usually ugly. And usually look a lot like this. This will stop within a couple of decades, when the implosion is complete (yes, they can do a lot of damage on the way down).

@CptSuperlative America's empire is fading. It shouldn't collapse into a third world cesspit (though it is perfectly capable of such a fall), but it will indeed take a generation or three to lick its wounds, recover its coherence and stability, and find a new identity to be proud of, post recognising the lie of "American exceptionalism". Australia's best interests may in the long term be served by aligning with China. But there are others, like Canada, that Europe can find commonality with.