Global Trends 2015

For instance, the globalization of technology and information - especially regarding weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and advanced conventional weapons - will increasingly accord smaller states, groups, and individuals destructive capabilities previously limited to major world powers. Encouraging and consolidating the positive aspects of globalization, while managing and containing its "downsides," will be a continuing challenge for the US." (US Defense Intelligence Agency). Not only is this trend a continuing factor in the constuction and implementation of United States Foreign Policy, but holds true for the 3 Post-Modern regional powers of the world: The America's, Europe, and East Asia. Although Global Trends does not state that the US should back down as global protector, it suggests that it's focus will be on creating inertia that would bring Europe and East Asia to world power and lessen their dependency on the United States. With the exception of China invaiding Taiwan, or Iraq/Iran invasions, Global Trends suggests that the major powers, the Post-Modern regions of the world, no longer care about gaining space nor do they place so much concern on territorial boundaries, but rather are focused on economic growth and development which are predicted to "increase rapidly" of the next 15 years as globalization becomes fully integrated. .
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             "International trade and investment flows will grow, spurring rapid increases in world GDP. Opposition to further trade liberalization from special interest groups and some governments will not erode the basic trend toward expansion of trade." In this Post-modern era, the focus of the globe has made a dynamic shift from individual states focusing on increasing land and territorial boundaries, to emphasizing the increasing need to economically keep at pace of the rest of the world. Although some (e.g. Iran, various terrorists, and other criminal groups) simply reject or fear Western values and goals, and will continue to exploit certain aspects of globalization, even as they try to fend off some of its consequences (like openness and increased global connectivity).