World’s fifteen most powerful countries in 2012

United States
China
United Kingdom
Germany
Japan
France
Russia
India
South Korea
Brazil
Italy
Spain
Canada
Australia
Turkey

"In recent years, particularly since the 2007-2009 financial crisis in North America and Western Europe, there has been much speculation over the changing balance of power in the world. China’s rapid ascent during the 2000s as a potential superpower is well-known, as to some extent is Russia’s resurgence as a regional power and India’s emergence economically, politically and militarily. Less well known are the rise of Germany to economic dominance on the European mainland; the expansion of South Korea and Brazil in East Asia and South America, respectively; and the ongoing ‘normalisation’ of Japan, as it weaves itself into a web of alliances and partnerships across the Asian rimland."

[link to europeangeostrategy.ideasoneurope.eu]