How to Properly Assess U.S. Position of Strength?

In the aftermath of 9/11 events and the Iraq war, there appear two entirely different points of view within the Chinese academic circles in regard to the U.S. position of strength. One view holds that the 9/11 events lay bare the extremely fragile aspect of the U.S. as a superpower. The Iraq war is a symbolic event that shows the wax and wane of the American Empire. Another view believes that instead of being “on the decline” after the 9/11 events,the U.S. has made mono-polar pattern more stable and the U.S. position of strength more firmly established after the Iraq war. Until now, this debate is still going on.