The world in 2010

[seabhcan]

My Predictions:

Oil pricing is switched from US dollars to IMF administered Special Drawing Rights.

Pakistan has imploded and is breaking up into independent narco-substates. India annexes Kashmir.

Obama has come to an agreement with Iran which allows them to continue enrichment in exchange for an overland supply route for Nato troops in Afghanistan, and a gradual relaxing of economic sanctions. I'maDinnerJacket reelected.

East European missile sheild scrapped under the political cover that Iran is nolonger a threat. Russia accepts a US invitation to join NATO, and contributes troops to NATO's occupation of former Pakistan Republics.

Raul Castro steps down. Most US trade sanctions with cuba 'temporarly' suspended during Cuba's first multicandidate presidential elections.

Libertas gains 30 MPs across europe but only one in Ireland, but soon faces an internal power struggle as the Czech Libertas leader tries to take control. Ganley leaves the party following Libertas' lurch to the xenophobic right. Lisbon treaty passes in Ireland but sinks in the Czech republic. Project quietly shelved and EU continues under Nice. Expansion halted.

Iceland votes to join the EU, but France and Czech republic veto accession 'for now'.

Economic protests sweep Russia and Putin/Medvedev forced to make democratic concessions to the middle classes. State Governers now to be elected again.

US and UK housing market starts to recover, Ireland's housing market and economy follows Japan into a lost decade. Government finally falls as the Green Party rediscovers its balls. An unstable FG-Labour-Sinn Fein-Green coalition is elected, but collapses again within 6 months. New elections elect FF-Labour under Taoiseach Lenihan. Green Party is wiped out. New global regulations on Hedge funds effectively shuts down the IFSC.

In the UK, Brown is ousted and replaced by a Tory-LibDem coalition. Scotland holds an independence referendum, which fails. PR voting introduced, and a target date of 2020 selected for Britain to join the Euro - but most economists predict the target date will be missed.

Thoughts?

[5intheface]

Anyting on the Grand National? Bloody 'Battlecry'.

[swansandtyphus]

Obama visits Dublin in October. He visits Abrakabra and dies instantly after sinking his teeth into a greasy kebab. The Polish girl who served him the kebab is immediately shot dead by Secret Service. Her enraged boyfriend (who also works there) kills all the Secret Service with his bare hands. He finally surrenders to Gardai on Christmas Day after repeated assaults are launched on the premises to retrieve President Obama's body and capture the Polish man. 2,000 American troops die during the seige and most of Dublin is devastated.