German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU, C) speaking with US President Donald Trump (r) during proceedings on the sidelines of the official order of business. French President Emmanuel Macron (2.f.l), Japanese Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe (4.f.r), and John Bolton, National Security Advisor of the United States, look on. Jesco Denzel | picture-alliance | dpa | AP

Pax Americana no more

Since the end of WWII, the U.S. has been the central player in the international system, leading in the creation of new international organizations like the United Nations, NATO, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. American diplomacy has been essential to multinational agreements on trade, climate, regional security and arms control. Americans could and did claim to be at the center of a “rules-based international order.” Those days are gone. Not only do China and Russia contest America’s global role, a growing number of other countries are asserting an independent and increasingly influential role in regional economic and security developments. Neither American political party has come to grips with this sea change. Until they do, U.S. global actions are likely to be less effective, even counterproductive.

Who’s on top?

Abroad at home