I refer to the later half of John Teo's letter , for I do not have any opinions whatsoever regarding the illegitimate invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Teo mentioned that people who regard the United States as a dominating superpower which is out to control the world are smoked up on something. Well, Teo, you're not entirely wrong, but you're not entirely right either.

How do we define 'control'? Is Iraq being controlled by the US? Is the United States trying to control the world by making six billion people bow to their policies and political system? If that is how you define control, then I assure you, that there's more to it than meets the eye.

The US is, after the Cold War, the only superpower left on this planet. They are the world's most powerful nation in terms of economic and military strength and to preserve their status as the sole superpower, they have to extend an influence over other countries.

These influences are spread either through economical, political or military means, and serve to maintain US' status as the most powerful nation in the world. If the US is to maintain a neutral stance over worldly matters (i.e. not spreading their influences globally), would it have become what it is today?

The US controls the world economy, they have hundreds of thousands of troops and covert operatives in various locations around the globe, we are all wearing their Nikes and Reeboks and I'm even using an American product to type out this letter.

People do not have to smoke to think that America is controlling the world; America has been controlling the world ever since World War Two was won. If the American economy worsens, the world economy will sink with it. That's how big an influence America has over the world.

The recent issue about the US suggesting that its Marines patrol the Straits of Malacca prompted a number of letters from readers. Having US Marines patrol the Straits is, in a way, a form of control.

By having a military presence in this region, the US expands its influence, and thus has more control. Why do you think the US has CIA operatives everywhere? According to them, to safeguard American interests around the world, but we know better don't we?.

Like it or not, we are all, in a way, controlled by the Americans. We are all in their pockets; it just depends on how deep in we are.

A superpower can only remain a superpower if it dominates the world one way or another, no? Even a 13-year-old who plays real time strategy games knows this fact. We do not have to read books by Noam Chomsky and Michael Moore to realise this.

However, I must acknowledge Teo's attitude in knowing that not everything the US does is for the good of this world, and he has some very strong points in the letter he wrote. And no, I'm not smoking or under the influence of anything.