Poll: 56% think U.S. will not have world's top military in 20 years

The low point for Americans’ views of their nation’s military standing came in May of 1999, when 51% said the U.S. was No. 1. Three years ago, in February 2007, 60% said the U.S. was No. 1 militarily.

The current poll marks the first time Gallup has asked Americans to forecast the strength of the United States’ military standing 20 years from now. The results show that many fewer Americans believe the U.S. will be No. 1 in two decades than believe it is today. Not surprisingly, most of those who do not believe the U.S. is No. 1 in the world one now also believe the U.S. will not be No. 1 in 20 years. About half of those who say the U.S. is No. 1 today believe the U.S. will continue to enjoy that status in 20 years.