Is the world dominated by three great empires -- the U.S.A, China and the European Union? How much power do the great behemoths of the south -- India, Brazil, and South Africa -- wield? And where does Russia fit in that equation?

Are we in the middle of a new Cold War? What are the implications of the armed conflict with Georgia? What about the new axis: Venezuela-Russia? And what role does Turkey play?

What about issues like Climate Change and other global forces like the food crisis and the high energy prices? How is all this reshaping the world's forces?

IPS looks for some answers.