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Thu, 10 Sep 2026 Feature Article

USA on the brink of collapse

USA on the brink of collapse

“History never repeats itself, but it always returns in a different form.” That was the first lesson my history professor taught us at Hamburg University. Over the course of my academic career, I came to understand the law of history: nothing remains the same; everything is in constant flux. The Pharaohs’ empire—gone after 3,500 years. The Roman Empire—gone after 1,000 years. The Ashanti Empire—gone after 300 years. The Holy Roman Empire—gone after 1,000 years. The list goes on. Empires and superpowers rise, dominate, and eventually become chapters in history books—before those books are closed. The world abhors a vacuum, which is why underdogs inevitably rise to fill it.

When empires or superpowers begin to decline, signs appear three to four generations earlier (roughly 80–100 years). These signs reveal that the power is beginning to submerge, preparing to join the fate of ancient empires—imploding from within, not exploding—often with a final nudge from external forces.

US President Donald J. Trump is, metaphorically, the undertaker preparing his country for its final farewell; the trumpets are sounding. After yesterday’s announcement in Dallas, Texas—now circulating across media outlets in Europe and beyond—he wants to rename the Strait of Hormuz the Trump Strait, call Lake Ontario America Lake, extend the Iran war until after the September midterm elections, and, in the event of a Republican victory, give each American citizen a $5,000 dividend. By definition, a dividend is paid on an investment. American taxpayers have not invested in anything; they have simply paid taxes for the state to function. At best, this can be described as a tax cut. Julius Caesar went mad before senators eventually stabbed him in the back.

Donald J. Trump is leading a war in Iran even though the USA has never been attacked by the regime in Tehran. Julius Caesar used similar tactics to secure lifetime power. The president himself is not the long‑term problem—his eight years will eventually end and his relevance to world history will fade. The real concern lies with those behind him: the voters and the tech billionaires who will remain in power and steer the wheel of fortune far longer. Yet, just as no company has ever dominated politics or economics forever, the storm that currently blows minds off course will, by the law of history, eventually be silenced.

Africa: Hold firm. The storm will pass.

Karl-Heinz Heerde
Karl-Heinz Heerde, © 2026

PD Dipl.-Pol. Karl-Heinz Heerde (Political Scientist and Historian, Hamburg University 1980-1985), married to Alberta Heerde born Mensah, Ashanti from Kumasi with Ewe roots from Volta Region, Ghana, Entrepreneur and Author of several novels, the new constitution draft for Ghana and various Articles.Column: Karl-Heinz Heerde

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