So said the Ancient Egyptians, and the Greeks, The Romans, and the Babylonians. All the former great empires have all fallen. The US Empire will be no different. It too will fall.
If these ancient civilizations had nukes, the other nations of the world would have been forced to 'play ball'.
I think our many bases, weapons, and advanced technology means things won't be collapsing any time soon. And I used to be a guy who always thought it would.
Today, I feel we'll see a huge dropoff in quality of life due to our economy being in the crapper - but it'll be gradual. If 2008 didn't collapse the dollar - and it sure should have - then I don't think everyday bumps and bubbles will do it.
The US just keeps making deals or threats... ask saddam or kadaffi what happens when they started messing with the dollar. Sure, bigger nations will lessen the dollar use and trade directly, which will lead to this slow erosion, but I think the US will twist enough arms to keep afloat. The USA is the dude sleeping on your couch with an AK-47. You want to demand rent or kick him out, but he did blast the last 2 roomies who tried to serve eviction papers...