How America lost its swagger after 100 days of war against Iran

The US-Israeli "war of choice" on Iran, lasting just over 100 days, has dramatically reshaped global economic, military, and political power dynamics, significantly diminishing America's standing. This conflict, combined with broader effects on climate change mitigation, public debt, and trade de-risking, has triggered a global upheaval.

Eurasia Group founder Ian Bremmer noted that Trump's war in Iran, intended to project American power, achieved the opposite. "American reliability can no longer be assumed, and reducing dependence on the US has gone from luxury to necessity," Bremmer wrote. Polls reflect a steep decline in America's global image. Even within the US, 56 percent of Americans, including a third of Republicans, believe the war has negatively impacted US interests, according to the Brookings Institution.

International perceptions of the US have plummeted. A Pew Research survey revealed that 88 percent of Mexicans and 79 percent of Canadians doubt President Donald Trump's ability to handle world affairs correctly. In Europe, over 80 percent of respondents in Sweden, Germany, and Turkey expressed similar doubts. The European Council found that only 11 percent of Europeans still consider America an ally.

In stark contrast, China's global standing has surged without direct action. An Ipsos poll indicates that more people now believe China will positively impact global affairs in the coming decade than the US. Furthermore, a European Council poll showed that approximately half of respondents in both Europe and the US view China as an ally or a necessary partner, highlighting a significant shift in geopolitical influence.

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Trump’s war in Iran was supposed to project American power. It projected the opposite. American reliability can no longer be assumed, and reducing dependence on the US has gone from luxury to necessity.