Take, for example the recent Iraq situation. The 'Old Europe' powers were
staunchly against the invasion (for various reasons, none of which are
relevant to this discussion), but the USA was obviously determined to invade
Iraq, regardless of their opinions. The European powers were,

Both US and Europeans were and are aware of next paradigm shift ,Europeans
simply want to wait,on contrary US got to act before it takes place no matter
what.

As I said before,I think the most powerful weapon in US arsenal is the
Greenback.
The most likely peer competitors of US are also the biggest lenders of US (and
US is the biggest borrower of them),that offers US a unique chance to
destabilize likely peer competitors by devaluating Dollar.

As Nixon said long time ago"Dollar is our currency,but your problem"