It can help protect Carlyle's profits, because even if one of its portfolio companies files for bankruptcy, as five of them did during the crisis, it will not drag down the returns of other funds.

ECONOMIST: The Carlyle Group

As emerging nations drag the world economy out of the financial crisis and subsequent recession, companies in these countries are quickly becoming major players in their sectors, pushing advanced Western nations further off the picture. (Read: Forget China, Look to Latin America).

FORBES: Petrobras and CNOOC Expanding Early In 2011 As Global Balance of Power Shifts To The Emerging World

The steadily eroding situation in Japan has some economic experts warning of a financial crisis that would dwarf 1997's problems in Thailand and drag the world's economies into depression.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The Asian crisis may further drag down the traded-goods sector and push down the prices of imported goods.

ECONOMIST: A monetary tug-of-war

Annan has said the ongoing crisis in Syria cannot be allowed to "drag on indefinitely" but resisted setting any sort of timetable.

CNN: Nations watching Syria after it accepts peace plan

The Nobel Peace Prize, as much of the world keeps holding its collective breath, fearing that the potential collapse of the Eurozone, exits of member states, region-wide banking crisis, half-steps and dithering by European leaders could drag the global economy deeper into the mud and tear Europe into pieces yet again?

FORBES: Cynics Be Gone; Europe Deserves Its Nobel Peace Prize