The Soft Decline of a Hard Power: America’s Waning Influence in 2025
Why America’s global image is fading — and how its soft-power crisis is reshaping the world order
United States, PUREWILAYAH.COM - As we enter the summer of 2025, the United States stands at a critical juncture. No longer enjoying uncontested global influence, the U.S. is facing mounting internal and external challenges. Domestically, political polarisation, economic uncertainty, and social unrest are chipping away at the nation’s cohesion. On the world stage, a deeper crisis is unfolding—one of eroded goodwill, waning credibility, and growing estrangement of traditional allies.
1. Global Trust in Retreat
According to a recent Pew Research Center survey spanning 24 countries, favourable views of the U.S. have taken a noticeable hit—from over 60% at the end of the Biden era to just 49% today. Declines of more than 20 percentage points have been recorded in nations such as Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Sweden. Trust in U.S. leadership has also plummeted, with only 24% expressing confidence in President Trump — one of the lowest levels globally.
2. From Beacon to Threat
The U.S.’s global reputation has further degraded: it’s now ranked fifteenth in the “Reputation” subcategory of the Global Soft Power Index despite maintaining strength in “structural power.” More alarmingly, many countries now view the U.S. as a source of instability rather than leadership. In Canada and Mexico, a majority—68% and 59%, respectively—see American policies as a threat. Among European publics, such as in Denmark and France, a growing segment perceives the U.S. as a serious danger or no longer a reliable ally.
3. The Gaza War Fallout
Perhaps nowhere is U.S. soft‑power decline more apparent than in its association with the Gaza conflict. In the Arab world, 82% rate U.S. policy toward Gaza as “very bad,” and 76% say their view of America has worsened since the war began. Meanwhile, even among Americans, support for Israel’s actions has hit a historic low—just 32% overall and under 10% among those under 35.
4. Domestic Opposition to Intervention
The U.S. public’s tolerance for foreign entanglements is waning. During the brief but intense 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025—which the U.S. supported logistically—85% of Americans opposed any military involvement. Pro‑Iran and anti‑Israeli protests erupted globally, underscoring widespread resistance to U.S. intervention.
5. Waning Tourism, Waning Connection
International tourism, a barometer of global engagement, is also suffering. In Q1 of 2025, inbound travel to the U.S. dropped between 12% and 33% year‑over‑year. European visitation fell 30%, while Canadian border crossings declined by 23%, putting thousands of tourism‑sector jobs at risk.
Closing Thoughts
This is no longer a speculative trend—it’s a quantifiable reality: America's soft power is dwindling. As observed by Iranian leadership back in 2018, “America’s soft‑power is declining and disappearing,” a sentiment that has since been validated by global opinion and behaviour.
In an era where influence increasingly stems from attraction rather than force, the U.S. is dangerously losing not only the narrative—but the appeal—that once made it exceptional. The question now is whether America can reverse course before its soft power becomes irrecoverable. (PW)
Source: The Official Website Of Ayatollah Khamenei
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Pure Wilayah or its associates