Is the White Tower completely broken?  (I have NOT read TGS yet, so please no major spoilers if any)

 

I'm not talking about physically broken, but is the Tower's influence diminished significantly?

 

The Seanchan do not fear Aes Sedai, nor do they respect them. (obviously)

The Seafolk / Athan Miere no longer fear Aes Sedai, and don't really respect them anymore.

The Aiel no longer fear Aes Sedai, no longer fear failing the Aes Sedai, and barely respect them.

The Asha'man no longer fear Aes Sedai, yet there is some sort of mutual respect if tenuous.

The Kin no longer fear Aes Sedai, and their respect for them is slowly dwindling.

 

While this is probably not the majority of people in Randland, it is a growing number of people who no longer automatically defer to Aes Sedai.  As time goes on, we will probably see more and more people who notice this interaction and will probably start following suit.

 

Could we see the White Tower broken forever?  Could the Tower's influence be so far gone that it can't come back?  Is the Tower's political strength on a downward spiral?

Read tGS, then come back ;)

Indeed, read tGS.

 

And the thing is, the Tower has been expecting respect as their due. They need to remember that respect is earned--and their struggles in recent times should start bringing them closer to realising that.

Still, while TGS addresses the issue, it's quite clear well before that the Tower has indeed been broken. Consider Andoran nobility should have been the last people on Randland to tell Aes Sedai where they may or may not go.