| I was lucky to meet the late Prof Geremek in | | | | changing of the guard. Elections are scheduled in |
| 2005, when he predicted that 2009 would be a | | | | Lebanon in 2009 that are expected to decide on |
| year of change for Europe with many elections, | | | | Lebanon's relations with Syria, the future of |
| including the election for the European Parliament | | | | Hizbullah's weapons and the fate of the Christian |
| taking place in 2009. He had said that maybe | | | | population. |
| Europe would shine after that- depending on the | | | | Elections are also scheduled in Iran where |
| kind of political decisions that the new leaders are | | | | President Ahmedinejad is expected to run for a |
| able to take. | | | | second term. The main issue of the election is |
| Change is in the air with major European countries | | | | however, not expected to be the Iranian nuclear |
| UK, Germany and Norway scheduled to hold | | | | ambitions, that the international community is |
| elections in 2009. And of course, the European | | | | concerned about, but more domestic issues such |
| Parliament is due for election in mid 2009- the | | | | as economic reform and inflation. Iraq too is |
| largest trans-national election ever. | | | | expected to hold parliamentary elections in 2009. |
| But it is not just Europe that is going to have new | | | | In Asia, India, Japan and Indonesia are expected |
| leaders, new policies and new alignments in the | | | | to go for elections in 2009. The general election |
| next year. The election scheduled to take place in | | | | outcome in India is unpredictable. Depending on |
| the US later this year is being watched closely by | | | | the outcome, the course of the country could |
| people all over the world. If the "rest of the | | | | change fundamentally, both in terms of internal |
| world" had a vote in the US elections, perhaps the | | | | governance as well as its foreign policy and |
| outcome would be more predictable. It is clear | | | | alignments. Japan too is expected to have a |
| how large tracts of Asia, the Middle East, Europe | | | | turbulent time ahead as for the first time, a |
| and Africa vote. How the US will vote in | | | | censure motion was brought against a prime |
| November is not. As it stands, Senator Barrack | | | | minister under Japan's post-war constitution in |
| Obama's promises to bring about the change that | | | | 2008. However, how long the new prime minister |
| the country needs, while Senator McCain has | | | | will last is uncertain in view of the fact that Japan |
| recast himself as a soldier, ever ready to fight in | | | | has had 10 prime ministers in the 15 years. Japan's |
| the interest of the country. However in the | | | | economic problems along with its fast aging and |
| Republican Convention, he too felt the need to | | | | shrinking population are not ones that can be |
| announce that "change is coming". | | | | solved easily. The issues that will be debated in |
| Change of leadership in large parts of Europe, | | | | Indonesia's elections are also domestic ones such |
| along with the US will lead to a fundamental | | | | as economic growth, reduction of the |
| rethink in global policies and actions. Senator | | | | unemployment and poverty rates. |
| Obama has already announced the need to create | | | | So, many regions and countries across the world |
| a Clean Technologies Deployment Venture Capital | | | | are scheduled to hold elections in the near future. |
| Fund for US $ 10 billion investment over five | | | | Will these give rise to statesmen and women who |
| years and an investment of US $ 150 billion over | | | | will be able to change the course of the world by |
| a ten year period in energy technology. This | | | | addressing major challenges of climate change, |
| addresses the need to reduce the US | | | | poverty and energy? Or will they just muddle |
| dependence on oil imports. This would obviously | | | | along with their eyes on the next election further |
| change the US policy in the Middle East in a | | | | down the road? That 2009 is going to be a year |
| manner that would bring about lasting peace and | | | | of change is clear. Whether it will also be a year |
| stability in the region. | | | | of hope and opportunity will have to be seen. |
| The Middle East itself is expected to undergo a | | | | |