As the United States prepares to celebrate a pivotal milestone - its 250th birthday - a growing sense of unease is casting a shadow over the country's future and the global order it has dominated for centuries. The foundations of American power, built on a delicate balance of democracy, economic might, and military strength, are being tested like never before. From rising tensions with China and Russia to internal divisions and a polarized society, the world is witnessing a crisis of confidence in the United States' ability to lead. As the nation looks back on its storied past, it must also confront the uncertainty of its place in the world and the challenges that lie ahead in the next quarter century.
On the eve of its 250th birthday, America and the world order it created are in crisis
