The next major world superpower will come out of Asia

This will be not a debate over which countries are currently superpowers, but instead that the next major one will come out of the continent of Asia. To clarify, the United States is currently the world's reigning superpower. Other forces might seem to be major world powers, but in fact they have something hindering them. For example, the European Union (or EU) is not a superpower, for economic troubles and the lack of a unified military make it impossible for them become a major player in world affairs. The Con will take the side that Asia will not be home to the next major world superpower. To prove this, the Con can both offer an opposing continent to hold the superpower and refute my reasons. For further clarification, the nation/continent that the Con offers must be a RISING power, meaning that the force is not currently but will be a superpower. Unacceptable answers to this topic will be the United States, any international organization like the UN or ASEAN, and any continent as a whole. Specific nations must be listed as the superpowers rising in a continent. Now that the clarification is out of the way, I will now move on to my arguments and contentions: Contention 1: Militarism Asia is home to many nations currently experiencing a rise in military power. History has shown that nations with the ability to command large military forces have the hard power necessary to accomplish the goals and fulfill the ambitions of the country. China, Russia, and India are major countries that are expanding their armies and becoming more powerful in this way. Military spending is a good measure of a nation's devotion to making their military more powerful. Out of the top ten countries spending the most on their militaries, six nations are found in Asia. Out of the top five, four are Asian [1]. Russia and China have been growing their militaries as well, preparing to use them however they need them [9]. In this sense, it is very likely that an Asian nation will be the world's next military superpower. Not only the amount of dollars, but the size and technological use of the military itself of many Asian nations is expanding. The Pentagon has reported that, "Bolstered by the development of a new stealth fighter, an aircraft carrier and a record number of space launches over the past year, China is on pace to achieve its goal of building a modern, regionally focused military by 2020" [2]. China is a prime example of the increasing modernization currently being exhibited by the militaries of many Asian forces. But, if modernization is not coming from within, it must come from without. Iran, holding on of the US' drones, is modernizing their drones and warplanes to make them more stealthy using US techniques [5]. The United States and other world powers are distancing themselves militarily from Asian countries. Israel, one of the US' most important allies, is taking action to protect their own interests over the interests of the US. If Israel attacks Iran, it is highly unlikely that the US will be informed beforehand [3]. In addition, the US is refusing to listen to Asian powers on defense issues regarding those nations, including missile defense systems and Russia [4]. This distancing effect of the current ruling powers of the world means that Asian forces are not being held down as hard, and have the opportunity to rise should they choose to do so. Lastly, the realms of warfare that will be fought over in the future are becoming more extreme, and Asian forces are preparing for such conflict [6]. The increasing aggressiveness of Asian nations is becoming evident, and a danger to the nations surrounding them [10]. With militaristic influence spreading, Asia is preparing itself to handle the issues of the future far better than any other continent. Contention 2: Economy The economies of Asian nations are growing and becoming more powerful. In the top five most powerful economies, three are Asian nations [7]. In addition, we have seen India overtake Germany, and Russia overtake the UK terms of purchasing power and GDP growth. The US, the world's most powerful economy, is slowing down with economic growth [8]. With the EU and other international economic forces becoming weaker and more unstable, the time for a nation in Asia to rule the world economically is now. Contention 3: Politically The cooperation between Asian countries is present, and is setting up the nations involved to become more powerful. Perhaps the best example of this that can be provided is the recent cooperative governmental agreement between the governments of Japan and China, traditionally hesitant to cooperate with one another [11]. As empires rise and fall with the winds of change, values long held by the peoples of Asia grew their roots deep into the psyche of the people affected. The Asian people, wherever corner or state they are from, are seeing today's progressive society as an opportunity to rise in power and prestige. The Cold War is over, the West grows placid in wealth and comfort, and the starving yet ambitious people of the world's largest continent are preparing for the inevitable: the rise of an Asian power strong enough to command attention from around the world. In the opinion of many Asian people groups, the ruling powers of the globe today have lost the Mandate of Heaven, and it is time for a new Asian dynasty to replace it. 1: . http://www.globalsecurity.org... 2: . http://news.yahoo.com... 3: . http://www.foxnews.com... 4: . http://www.foxnews.com... 5: . http://ca.news.yahoo.com... 6: . http://www.foxnews.com... 7: . http://www.economywatch.com... 8: . http://www.nytimes.com... 9: . http://www.guelphmercury.com... 10: . http://www.bbc.co.uk... 11: . http://www.mofa.go.jp...