In the news, the USA is threatening to withdraw from NATO and pull its troops out of Europe.
It reminds one of when the Roman Empire withdrew its legions from its once-mighty territories and left the colonised countries to fend for themselves – a decision that helped lead to the period we now call the Dark Ages.
I am not saying the USA has an empire, but it certainly has an empire of influence throughout the world.
President Trump has made it perfectly clear that he regards America’s allies as having failed to support the US during the Iran conflict, and he uses this as a reason for withdrawing support from traditional partners.
It is often said that the one country above all others that will benefit is Russia.
Not only would Europe lose the support of the United States, but in Asia, the ever-growing power of China – currently kept in check by American military might – must be looking at Taiwan and believing that soon they will be able to take it.
North Korea, a nuclear power, may also eye its southern border and consider a "unification" of Korea, but under a communist regime.
Japan, with its 100,000 US troops, is another country that would feel exposed and would likely rush to rearm in case a major Pacific conflict erupts after the US has departed.
After Rome retreated from its provinces, the Empire itself – without the resources and manpower of its former territories – fell into ruinous decline.
President Trump is making history, but has he learned from it?
The world could be entering a new and unstable future where old certainties no longer exist, and civilisation, especially in the West, may decline to levels we have not seen for many a year.
Paddy Maxwell, Lordshill
