A calm assessment of the origins of American behaviour cannot negate growing “American fatigue”: fatigue of its chaotic behaviour in the world. Respected experts propose living as if the United States does not exist or pursuing, at least rhetorically, a “detachment approach”. We can contend that the next five years of a weak US presidency, no matter who wins in November, will be a time when it will be impossible to talk with Washington about serious things, writes Valdai Club Programme Director Timofei Bordachev. The publication of this article continues online collaboration between Valdai Club as part of its Think Tank project and the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI).