Is this not a metaphor...

or is it, for the fall of the American empire?

The US-constructed pier off Gaza is officially done - for the time being at least. It is out of commission indefinitely after a series of problems and setbacks, the latest being inclement weather and heavy seas which have literally broken it apart.The damage from heavy seas has been enough to suspend its operations indefinitely, bringing to an end the short-lived American-led effort to establish a maritime humanitarian aid corridor to reach Gazans.