The empire and the five kings

"The United States was once the hope of the world a beacon of freedom and the defender of liberal democracy. Nations and peoples on all continents looked to America to stand up for the values that created the Western world and to oppose autocracy and repression. Even when America did not live up to its ideals it still recognized their importance at home and abroad. But as Bernard-Henri Lévy lays bare in this powerful and disturbing analysis of the world today America is retreating from its traditional leadership role and in its place have come five ambitious powers former empires eager to assert their primacy and influence. Lévy shows how these five—Russia China Turkey Iran and Sunni radical Islamism—are taking steps to undermine the liberal values that have been a hallmark of Western civilization." -- Provided by publisher.