Abstract
The paper focuses on principal trends of global development in the period till 2020 and likely development of the world's principal political forces (United States, China, Russia, India European Union, Islamic world). It also outlines their political, economic and security strategies.
The paper presupposes that the US will seek to maintain its position of the world's most influential political, economic and military actor even in the period till 2020. It will be increasingly forced to respond to the emerging global political, economic and military situation (increasing influence of China and India and of new regional powers, potential enhancement of the political, economic and military role of the European Union, more stabilized Russia).