We are clearly at the tail end of the US empire.

However, since the US$ is used as the world's reserve currency, and with the hundreds of US military bases spread around the globe, it will take years before the collapse.

But it's coming. Russia, China and more are abandoning the petrodollar. Other countries are repatriating their gold holdings from storage in the US. Numerous countries are buying and hoarding gold.

And of course, the deteriorating US economy and its $20 trillion in debt mean that it will not be able to continue financing its massive military.

Soon, the speed of the deterioration will increase. And eventually, it will be unstoppable. The changes will be earth-shattering (particularly for Americans).