Decline of U.S. -- The Civil War was largely about religious and economic differences more so than slavery. Slavery was just an excuse to get the fighting started.
I found myself, quite by accident, one morning in Djibouti. After happy hour at the Sheraton, and a couple more Heinikens in a Legionnaire bar, we repaired to the home of some State Department contractors (AID). I stuck with the green bottle so favored by Looter Guy, and my friends broke out the khat. I got up to leave and bade my newfound pals a "bon soir." Nobody said anything, so I said, "what's the matter, KHAT got your tongue?"