Global trends 2025
By S.M. Hali November 25, 2008 USA National Intelligence Council (NIC)-Washington's main intelligence body, euphemistically termed as the "agency of agencies", formed in 1979 to bring together analysis from each of America's multiple intelligence organisations to develop mid-to-long-term strategic thinking for USA's security community, released its latest report, Global Trends 2025: A World Transformed on November 21, 2008. Significantly, the study, which is published every four years to give US leaders insight into looming problems and opportunity is released on the eve of the commencement of a fresh presidential term. Some of the highlights of Pakistan's interest from this 120 pages' analysis are: The whole international system - as constructed following WWII - will be revolutionised. Not only will new players - Brazil, Russia, India and China - have a seat at the international high table, they will bring new stakes and rules of the game.
"Europe by 2025 will have made slow progress toward achieving the vision of current leaders and elites: a cohesive, integrated, and influential global actor," but not be a major military player. The European Union will be a "hobbled giant" crippled by internal bickering and a eurosceptic citizenry.
