future of world politics

[heganboy]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/magazine/27world-t.html

I really didn't know where to put this. Its a great piece written speculating on where the world will be at the end of the next US president's second term. It speaks of the rising power of the EU and China and the slow decline of the US...
I happen to think Khanna (the author) is not that far out, however I feel his timelines are off, and he's missed the classic black swan. i.e. what big event is going to accelerate this process. Love to hear your comments.