Originally Posted by Katczinsky

The issue of whether or not any other country is stronger militarily is under debate, because it is all circumstantial. It doesn't matter if you have the strongest and most advanced military when your forces and resources are strained, or if you're facing an enemy that out numbers you many times over (thinking of China).

Many countries know we are strained in Iraq, militarily. That is why they are pushing the envelope. Countries like Iran, Syria, and North Korea know they have a lot more room to do what they want, because the US has lost a lot of cards to play by being weakened considerably by reckless policies as intangablechild has already pointed out.