TOTALLY GEEKED!

The United States is still the world's superpower, at least for now, experts say. And that's reflected in the 2016 Best Countries rankings. The U.S. ranks No. 1 in power and No. 1 in terms of leadership – two powerful indicators of its global standing. But there is evidence that other nations are nipping at its heels. The country ranks No. 2 in terms of political influence, following Russia, and No. 2 in terms of economic influence, after China.

In fact, according to Pew surveys, most people in the world believe China is on track to replace the U.S. as the world's superpower. China ranks No. 17 overall in the Best Countries rankings.

"There was much talk during the 20th century that that was the American century," says Philip Seib, a professor of journalism and public diplomacy at the University of Southern California. "I would call the 21st century everybody's century. There has been a considerable leveling of the playing field. The U.S. is still by far the most powerful nation – certainly militarily there is no comparison. But I think if there was a unipolar moment that has passed."

It's not the power of the U.S. that many people worldwide doubt, but rather its willingness to use it, says Xenia Wickett, director of the United States program at the British think tank Chatham House.

"The greater concern is that America might not be reliable," she says. "There is a lot of conversation, for example, about whether America can be trusted to protect islands in the South China Sea. That's a reflection of America's domestic politics, that's a reflection of its will. Is Washington so dysfunctional that Republicans and Democrats can't come together to agree to act?"