Gayler is concerned about the declining prestige of the United States at a time when eastern prestige is rising due to urbanization and industrialization. China is a major contender in the world community, and it has a large army and navy. Gayler discusses U.S. relationships with other countries, like the Soviet Union, Japan and Cambodia. He concludes that the U.S. must maintain the excellence of its equipment and people because without security, we have nothing else.