U.S. power

[ian2]

The United States' approval ratings have plunged, especially in Europe-the cooperation of which Washington needs for a broad array of purposes-and in the Muslim world, where the United States must win over "hearts and minds" if it is to lessen the appeal of terrorism. In both areas, confidence in the propriety and purposes of U.S. power has dropped precipitously and shows little sign of recovery.
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Question is the blue words
Are we talking about U.S. power in general, or U.S. power in particular, that is, US power used in the Iraqi War, as this paragraph is taken from an article in which the whole theme is about U.S. war in Iraq.

[Tdol]

I'd say it meant that US power in general has been weakened by the war in Iraq.

[ian2]

Originally Posted by Tdol

I'd say it meant that US power in general has been weakened by the war in Iraq.

Thanks。