"The US still has 19 of the world's top 20 universities"
Nope.
"and 40x of the top 50."
Nope.
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankin...
But nice try.
Nope.
"and 40x of the top 50."
Nope.
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankin...
But nice try.
Really? How do you measure this? Based on GDP Europe and China should be the same level. Based on PPP China may have surpased the US already. Military might? Questionable how effective carriers are against an able opponent. Paul Kennedy would argue, that increased military spending against an upcoming opponent might be a sign of weakness.