AMERICA IN POST 9/11 WORLD ORDER: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

The United States of America emerged as a superpower after World War II along with the Soviet Union. It played the role of hegemon in cold war era and tried to reshape the world order. The post-Cold War era was marked by a number of global conflicts and terrorist incidents that introduced new challenges worldwide. The post 9/11 era confronted the U.S. with new threats; it also saw a rise of major powers particularly China as a challenger. This research investigates how structural realism, hegemonic stability theory, and power transition theory characterize U.S. power and the primary contenders challenging it. The ongoing discourse revolves around the relative decline of the U.S. in light of China's rise, the resurgence of Russia, the emergence of influential global players, the growing prevalence of anti-American sentiment, and the outcomes of protracted and unsuccessful wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, where extended military engagements failed to deliver peace, stability, and development. President George W. Bush believed that the U.S. was facing an existential threat that was being aided by other nations and held an optimistic view of American power's ability to reshape the world. Over the past decade following the events of September 11, two contrasting foreign policy visions have emerged in Washington. First, in response to the attack, President Bush adopted a strategy of declaring a global war on terrorism. Consequently, the U.S. pursued an aggressive approach. In Afghanistan, the goal was to eliminate or apprehend Al-Qaeda militants and their supporters. In Iraq, the objective was to disrupt the interconnected network of terrorists, oppressive regime, and potential weapons of mass destruction. However, the Iraq war yielded an unexpected consequence: a lengthy and tumultuous occupation that underscored the limitations of American power. Second, China poses tough challenges to the U.S. in the field of economy, science, technology and innovation, education and cyber security in an existing liberal international order. However, China has yet to pose a challenge or threat to the American hegemony in terms of military. Hence, in the post- 9/11 era, the U.S. has encountered a greater number of challenges than opportunities. It is imperative for the U.S. to reassess its policies and prioritize a soft power approach in order to enhance its international perception and global standing.