As 2013 begins, the downside risks to the global economy are gathering force.

In the same way, our lives are dominated by gravity but are almost oblivious to the force of surface tension.

The purpose behind China s continuous modernization of its strategic assets is to enhance the credibility of its deterrent threat by improving the survivability of its nuclear forces.

American culture is now prominent, and it contributes to America's attractiveness its soft power in many, but not all, areas.

For instance, by the year 2006, 11 sub Saharan African countries will probably have lost more than one tenth of their workforce to AIDS.

Russia s second step in rebuilding its empire in the Caucasus is to unite itself and Armenia in a single economic zone. Because Georgia stands directly in the geographical path to realizing this goal, Russia had to deal with it first.

In that case, the FARC might use peace talks as it has several times in the past to bid for time, re arm and regroup.

African Governments must support centres of excellence in science and technology in large countries and join together regionally to ensure coverage of the smaller countries.

By contrast, there is no country today that is able and willing to step in should the US fail to get its act together.

European fixed income markets rallied strongly as a result, only to reverse course days later when Trichet and his colleagues made it clear that the markets had misread him.

Amid the exuberance, there is apprehension what will happen when the remnants of the US army finally withdraw? But young Afghans believe their country is gathering strength after decades of weakness and division.

The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (the P 5 ) still defend their right to veto resolutions, and their military power is unmatched.

The Taliban, who demanded to be left alone in exchange for staying out of politics, were driven into Pakistan, where they reconvened.

If, however, the opposition parties resolve their differences and manage to stitch together a firm common platform, they could force Jonathan into a runoff.

Indeed, Turkey has gone further by helping the divided Syrian opposition to come together on its territory to establish a joint front against the Assad regime and provide a credible alternative to it.

For 60 years, Israel has tried to use its overwhelming military prowess to cow the Palestinians into accepting the fate it dictates for them, and for 60 years no Israeli government has been able to do that.

China continues its military build up, and North Korea remorselessly pursues nuclear weapons while refusing to resolve or even explain its abduction of dozens of Japanese citizens over the years.

We therefore invite all interested States and NGOs to join forces in gathering the necessary information to make the appointment of women to such posts not only a priority but a reality.

For example, if Pakistan is to dedicate all of its forces to the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, India must convince the Pakistani Army that it need not fear a stab in the back.

The pharmaceutical industry, fueled by our desire for quick fixes, has effectively deployed its considerable power to promulgate the notion of disorders and illnesses in all domains of our lives.

For example, at the first trilateral summit, held in May 2008, as the global economic crisis was gathering pace, currency swap arrangements were agreed upon among the three powers.

In recognition of the challenges of global rice production, FAO and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) joined forces in 1999 to focus international attention on the rice industry and its role in achieving global food security.

Germany might be getting all of the attention in this time of crisis, but the last year has been a reminder that Europe is most effective and influential when the small countries get involved and join forces with and even lead the big ones.

Instead, Asia remains deeply scarred by unsettled disputes, periodic fits of nationalism, and contested borders, all of which tend to be amplified by apprehension stemming from the asymmetric rise of some of its powers.

Can China manage the economic, cultural, and political transitions necessary to assume the leadership role now up for grabs? I find it intriguing to go back almost 200 years and consider Britain s political economy when the First Industrial Revolution was gathering steam.

And, while Asia with the world s fastest growing markets, fastest rising military expenditures, and most volatile hot spots holds the key to the future global order, its major powers remain at loggerheads.

Under that bargain, the bigger states accepted restraints on their power in order to increase the weight of the Union as a whole while the smaller ones realized that being part of the club gave them a chance they would not have otherwise, namely to participate in the shaping of common policies.

It seems that the Russian led peacekeeping operation has, in fact, exhausted its potential and the only effective way is to have a full scale international, I would underline truly international United Nations led peacekeeping operation.

It is clearly in India s interests to join forces with the EU in negotiations within the World Trade Organization to lower protectionist barriers, particularly in services such as accounting, law, and finance, as this will free up trade and generate greater investment flows.

European fixed income markets rallied strongly as a result, only to reverse course days later when Trichet and his colleagues made it clear that the markets had misread him. So there was unwelcome and unneeded market volatility because Trichet couldn t get the message out straight.