Empire is a dying business model. But the US will be the last man left standing. Here's why:
https://link.medium.com/TjRD7HjScBb

Ingredients of successful US empire:
Rule of law instead of rule by law kleptocracy.
Deep and liquid financial markets.
Geography: continental size maritime empire protected by two oceans, friendly neighbours. World's best network.
Energy independence.
Since the Netherlands created the world's first fiscal military state backed by rule of law bond covenants, land based empires lose out to the maritime upstarts.
Unrivalled soft power. English is globish.
China's language is a tonal, nonalphabetical language too difficult to be exportable.
China is a technology importer, not exporter.
Alliance networks encircling China. Small neighbours always prefer distant to local bullies.
Autocracies are brittle, have no accountability.