Since the end of the Second World War, America has been the dominant global superpower. While the 19th century belonged to Britain, the 20th century belonged to the United States. Now we’ve entered a new century, and it seems a new power is set to rise.

U.S. President Barack Obama has repeatedly called for other nations to step up to shoulder the load of world leadership. Now the Pentagon admits America can no longer sustain its position as the world’s policeman.

On September 30, Deputy Defense Secretary Robert O. Work told the Council on Foreign Relations, “We are really taking a hard look at our whole global posture.” As the military faces more cuts in the upcoming year, the Defense Department can no longer afford its broad deployment of American forces. It now faces the possibility of having to cut back forward-stationed forces. This would result in more American retreat from the world stage.

These cuts come at a time when the world is dangerously volatile. Crises in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and elsewhere demand American intervention, yet America cannot afford to deal with all these crises. Many are concerned that the new offensive against Islamic State will sap already limited funding. The bombing campaign has already cost the U.S. nearly $1 billion.

Work told the council, “Maintaining the military at a high tempo is no longer sustainable in this budget environment. … It prevents us from preparing for future contingencies.” In the past, it was assumed that America could support all its international commitments without jeopardizing its position at home. This, however, has become “harder and harder to sustain.”

Numerous cuts are already in place, and with sequestration ready to take a big bite out of next year’s budget, more painful cuts will have to be implemented. The U.S. Army is currently in the process of trimming its forces from 510,000 to potentially 420,000 by 2020. The Air Force reportedly has “the oldest Air Force fleet in history.” The Navy is concerned about a shortage of Tomahawk missiles—it only has 4,000 in storage, enough to last roughly 85 days if they continue to be used at the current rate against Islamic State fighters. The Marine Corp is working to cut 18,000 troops by the fall of 2016.

While Work tried to calm any fears American allies may have over the continued downsizing of American forces, it is undeniably true that America’s position as a dominant power is compromised, and military cuts are where it starts. It’s not only that America will be unable to police the world anymore. As the National Defense Panel so accurately stated in its recent report, “The effectiveness of America’s other tools for global influence, such as diplomacy and economic engagement, are critically intertwined with and dependent upon the perceived strength, presence and commitment of U.S. armed forces.”

Without the military power to back up its words, America’s ability to influence other nations it severely crippled. A gutted military not only compromises America’s national security; it compromises its ability to influence the international community. That was why President Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy was based on his saying, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Without the stick, no amount of talking, whether loud or soft, will be able to influence global politics.

As America’s military power declines, so will its political power on the world scene. While the 20th century was America’s, the 21st belongs to others. Will that be a good thing for the world? We are entering a period of time the Bible refers to as “the times of the Gentiles,” and these are not good times. Watch “Understanding the Times of the Gentiles” by editor in chief Gerald Flurry to understand what America’s retreat means for the world.