America prevailed over the Soviet Union in the Cold War. Its armed forces are more competent and lethal than those of any adversary or conceivable combination of adversaries. The American economy remains by most measures the world’s largest. Yet the ability of the United States to shape the international political and economic environment is visibly declining. What are the prospects for reestablishing an American role in world affairs commensurate with the matchless heritage of global leadership and the extraordinary natural endowment of the United States? This lecture is the first of a three part series delivered by Chas Freeman. The next two are scheduled February 11 and February 18.