For America—the bloom is off the rose. In another sign of its waning global prestige, it has been called on by Europe, the UN and a cabal of nations to relinquish its control of the Internet.

In a two-week long session that saw the global community hammer out a manifesto for the upcoming “Information Society Summit” in Tunisia in November, America ended up at loggerheads with foreign delegates over its control of the root servers that act as the basic directory for the whole Internet. Several countries, including China and Iran, Brazil and Cuba, and several African states, supported the demand.

As American delegates sat close nearby, David Hendon, the front man for the EU, said that the Union had “decided to end the U.S. government’s unilateral control of the Internet” and proposed that a “cooperation model” would be advantageous (Guardian, October 6). This cooperation model would see the United Nations International Telecommunications Union (itu) take over the current American role—with a multi-national decision-making body.

America had counted on the EU as a friend in the crossfire. Thus, Europe’s reversal of policy seized David Gross, a U.S. State Department official and delegate, with consternation. Gross described the EU abdication of the U.S. model and endorsement of UN plan as a “shocking and profound change” (Reuters, September 30). He called the new plan “unacceptable” and said the U.S. wouldn’t go along.

Gross’ rejection of the “cooperation model” underscores the vested interest America has in maintaining control of the world’s greatest shared asset.

The Internet has revolutionized an age. The world has gone from fax machines and typewriters to an undreamed-of level of digital interconnectivity. What the automobile did for the American economy in the early 20th century, the Internet has done for the global economy today.

But with an estimated $7 trillion of commerce plied on its cables and fiber strands in 2004, America’s grip on the world’s greatest global asset is already becoming more tenuous. The tectonic plates of change are shifting, and America’s position of prestige is receding—in far more than just the digital realm.

For the last few years in particular, American global dominance on the world scene has come under heavy fire. From its foray into Iraq to its stance on global warming, it is drawing heat on a dizzying array of issues. David Hendon pointed out, while making the EU case for UN control, that some countries “just cannot accept that the Americans have control of the Internet in their countries” (The Australian, October 4).

Considering the mounting issues facing America as a global power, it is clear that things are not going right for the country. It is quickly losing its international prestige.

There is a profound and startling reason for this—a reason that if understood would change the course of America. Why is America losing its international prestige? The answer to this question will astound you. It can be found in Herbert W. Armstrong’s book United States and Britain in Prophecy, which you can read online, or order a free copy for yourself.