Roar of a toothless tiger

I think USA is starting to look like a toothless tiger to the rest of the world. She has no bite any more. When North Korea announced their plans for testing long-range missiles, President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made tough statements warning them of ‘serious’ consequences. North Korea went ahead and fired the missiles anyway. USA reaction? 'Maybe, we should talk’. Similarly, Iran was threatened with military action for their foray into nuclear technology (even the option of using nuclear weapons was ‘on the table’ for this). It made no impression on Iranians, and they continued with their nuclear program.

All countries in the world now know that the Iraq war has completely drained the USA, and that she has no capability for any more military misadventures. So, they just ignore the roars of the toothless tiger, and go about their business!