What are the enduring sources of American power and influence?

Since this topic was selected, and in the last 14 months really, President Trump has almost destroyed our country's international reputation. We are now the most despised country on earth. Literally. Trusted by no one. Admired by far fewer than a year ago. To be counted on to keep our word and our agreements by nobody. One president and his coterie of top appointees and advisors did this to us. As the articles below discuss, Iran is just the latest foot-shooting.

At least for now. Pre-Iran war, this meeting was going to be about the enduring sources of U.S. power and influence. The ones that no single presidential administration could permanently destroy. I think that is still our topic because there are many such sources. Our "hard power" (military might and the ability to coerce others with it) is unparalleled and second to none. It will survive the war in Iran. Of course, military power alone rarely wins wars or counts for everything in international relations. Everyone already knew that - except, apparently, for the entire top leadership tier of the Trump Administration

Yes, U.S. relative power has been in slow relative decline for several decades. This was inevitable given the rise and success of other countries, much less than it was a failure of ours. It's been a situation to be managed, not a "carnage" to be "fixed" by toughness and steely-eyed missile men. Presidents Obama and Biden understood this. They both worked to advance U.S. soft power abroad and strengthen the domestic economy, which is the true foundation of international power. Events and political mistakes hurt, especially the 2008 financial crisis, President Bush's disastrous war in Iraq, growing U.S. debt both public and private, failure in Afghanistan, and (above all, perhaps) the rise of China.

But now, as the links spell out plainly, Trump has thrown away U.S. power, prestige, and trustworthiness. One of the links argues that no imperial-like power has ever just tossed away its own power for no real reason like Trump has.

What will survive? Which (1) sources and (2) tools of power and influence? Or, if you prefer jargon, which sources and tools of (A) hard power (military/national security realm), and (B) soft power (economic, cultural, diplomatic).

I weep when I think that so much is being thrown away to quickly and carelessly - and that most Americans will receive so little in return.
But maybe I am overly pessimistic. The United States weathered recent crises, like COVID and financial shocks, far better than most peer countries. Before that, we were written off as in permanent decline many times. Let's discuss it all on March 23.

Optional Background readings -
Some Basics -
· DIME: An acronym useful for discussing what the sources of international power are.
· Before Trump - U.S. power is rising, not declining! Recommended.
· After Trump: How to revive American global, leadership. (Long, but read short XecSum up front + very short “America Revived” section at the end)

Trump’s Reign –
· March 2026 – The shocking decline in global respect for the United States. Poll-driven analysis. Recommended.
· March ‘26 – We are at the whim of a madman. By respected former NYT foreign affairs columnist. We are a rogue state.
· Aug 2025The Steep Price of Lost Soft Power.
· July '25: Trump Is Enabling Chinese Power.
· Feb 25 (1 yr earlier!) – The Dumbest Imperial Collapse in History. Recommended.