U.S. defining 'hyperpower' role.

• Author: Book, Elizabeth G.
• Position: Washington Pulse

The September 11 attacks brought to light "the nature of the U.S. as an actor in the international system," said Eliot Cohen, a professor of security studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

"Any country that can decide to increase its defense budget by $80 billion--and not even notice it--brings to light the idea of the United States as a hyperpower," Cohen said. "What that means is actually starting to become clear."

The...