Muslim Countries of the Middle East Thrust onto the World Stage with Uprisings, Revolutions and Wars.

Countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea.

The countries along the Mediterranean Sea now find themselves at the center of history. Recent developments in Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Israel, Syria and Jordan have put this region once again in the world spot light. Europe, and their economic and social ills have made the entire region an area of nervous peoples. What is going to happen politically, socially, and economically?  This is a major question in the minds of many. Discontent runs rampant and this fuels the desire for change in the region. Islamic fundamentalism and other religious extremism adds to the mix of anxiety. Fear of loosing control to the unknown has led to an increase in worry and depression amongst the people of this region. With Turkey to the northeast, and Morocco to the southwest and France to the northwest and Egypt to the southeast, the area around the Mediterranean Sea is amazingly diverse. Can they live together in unity as neighbors in a world where community is beginning to stretch across political boundaries? Only time will tell.

Egypt, the Nile River and the Middle East from space.

Egypt and the Nile River at night.

North Africa and the Middle East needs transformation.

India: The Economic and Cricket Superpower of Asia and the World.

It is now known that if cricket players want to earn a lot of money, the place to go is India. Big salaries are now being paid to the best cricket players in the world and India is happy to receive them and reward them handsomely. India, as a nation continues to grow not only in population but also in economic power and influence. India's GDP is projected to surpass Japan's by the end of 2012. The population in India is booming and the youth population and work force in India is incredibly young. Approximately 75% of the population of India is under age 35. India has more honors students graduating from its schools than there are young people in the United States.

Not only India, but China along with the U.S. and Europe are the super powers that will change the the world during the next century. The impact that these nations, particularly India and China will have upon the world economy will be staggering. No longer is the United States the sole super power in the world. Who will now take the lead? China? No, they don't want it. India? No. That means for the next 20 years there will be a vacuum in economic and political world leadership. It will therefore be a group of nations and powers that will lead the world economy for the foreseeable future.

The question that looms for India is can it be a country where Christians, Muslims and Hindus coexist. Islamic, Hindu and Christian fundamentalists all have their different agendas. Now with the internet and social media, information is more readily available but it can also stir ethnic and religious tensions that can explode resulting in civil war. If that were to happen, then it would evolve into a regional conflict plunging Asia and the world into a political and economic crisis. Millions of people would lose their lives and economies would be set back years. Will peace remain in the region? Only God knows.