This topic is derived from a debate that Mryllyn, ESC and I have been having in the World Travel forum, right here at P&P.
So, which are the most influential and powerful nations in the world?
My top 15 votes are for:
1.        USA
2.        Russia
3.        China
4.        Japan
5.        Germany
6.        UK
7.        France
8.        Iraq
9.        Saudi Arabia
10.        Sweden
11.        Switzerland
12.        Canada
13.        Ukraine
14.        South Korea
15.        India
For example, France has little power compared to the US, but perhaps more influence and power than most other nations on the world scene. I think that only Russia, China, Japan certainly exert more. UK and Germany may as well, but that's debatable.
What do you all feel? What order would you use? Which nations are missing? Which nations should be bumped up the list or moved further down? Which nations will be in the top 15 in 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 years?
Narayan

