1. The United States: It’s only been about 50 years since they took the role as world leader and who says that they couldn’t keep it for another 50 if not 100 years? Sure they face serious challenges right now but hasn’t every great power? Rome had the barbarians, Greece had Persia, Britain had France, and the US had Japan. If the United States doesn’t make any serious mistakes and/or corrects the one it has already made it could be a power for a very long time and a major player for even longer.

2. European Union: So the Europeans dropped their guns and decided to unite under one economic banner. Yeah the systems has kinks in it but hey it’s just starting I mean the United States wasn’t what it was until after the Civil War. Alright so the EU probably won’t go the war route to unify (remember though they have Germany and Germans love war) but the economic advantages to the EU are enormous. Imagine all of Europe having one domestic and foreign policy, not even the United States can ignore numbers like that. The only bump in the road is that nationalism and age old mistrust might not allow say a country’s domestic policy have to get the ok from Brussels before it can act.

3. China: The little commie that could is one way to describe China. While not really communist anymore as much more it is a one party dictatorship. China though has the fast growing economy in history, 1.3 billion people, and the largest ground army in the world. The United States and European Union combined can’t threaten to invade China though China hasn’t used its military on anyone besides itself in about 50 years. The economic threat is the most serious one, look at everything you own and you’ll see “made in China” on it. The world is almost dependent on China for cheap goods and many economics see China’s cheap goods as crucial to its own national well being. It could easily take the route of being the major economic power than go into the military arena.

4. India: Think of China but a democracy and about a step ahead. Indians are smart and are coming home after getting their PhD’s in the US only boosting the Indian economy. Their military, while not that great on a world stage, is slowly getting there. These guys have a major say on what goes on in their region already and that might have just as much say on a world stage.

5. Russia: If you’ve read the “why not?” section then you already know what I think of the “great” Russia. The “experts” (who for some reason still get paid more than me) assert that Russia is a world power, though yours truly think differently I will admit that these guys have more experience in these matters than me. IF it can get over its laundry list of problems than it will (notice the absence of the words “it can”) become a major major power in the world that could flare up old Cold War sentiment.

Dark Horse. Israel: Another country from the “why not?” section I think these guys could assume the role of world leader if they can put their house in order first. The Israeli army can beat the militaries of some European countries and has as much or more combat experience as the American army. Israel is a major arms producer and arms inventor (Uzi anyone?) the US gets some of its arms from Israel and in addition to that the Israeli intelligence services is one of the best in the world. They’ve even been able to break into the US intelligence services! If they can get their domestic issues taken care of and are able to give attention to the world stage Israel can be a huge player in foreign affairs.