As a result, US power declined relative to its real rivals, Europe and Japan, the latter now becoming a serious competitor thanks to the costs of the Vietnam war, harmful to the United States but highly beneficial to Japan, which enriched itself by its participation in the destruction of Indochina, as did Canada and other US allies. In January 1968, the Tet offensive caused virtual panic in Washington, and led American business elites to conclude that the investment should be liquidated.
Ikumbukwe kuwa, uvamizi wa Ujerumani dhidi ya Umoja wa Kisovieti, ulianza tarehe 22 Juni, 1941 ambapo hapo mwanzo uvamizi huo ulionekana kwenda kama ilivyo pangwa, lakini gafla kila kitu kilianza kwenda vibaya vipigo vya kwanza ambavyo vilikusudia kuangusha Umoja wa Kisovieti ndani ya wiki chache havikuleta matokeo yaliyokusudiwa na hayakuweza kuwa na athari katika nchi hiyo, hivyo baada ya hapo, swali daima lilikuwa kwa Ujerumani ni sekta ipi nyeti na muhimu ishambuliwe ili kuidhoofisha Urusi na sekta gani iachwe.