In many parts of the world, the United States is the only country that has the potential to play that role. It is still the only country that has global reach—politically, economically, and militarily.

The US is the only country with the logistical means to project any kind of power in South Korea, Iraq and Somalia at the same time. But that doesn't mean it is the only country that can guarantee peace in any particular region. Regional powers can play that role much better. Where the US acts without the cooperation of the regional powers, it has been unable to impose peace.

The US may not like some regional powers, such as China and Turkey, but it will simply have to learn to deal with them as equals, or even defer to them. Its confrontational stance with Iran has proven to the world that while the US is a player in all regions, in each region it is now a minor player, unable to project enough power to make up for its lack of knowledge and understanding of local cultures.