According to National Intelligence Council Report, Ethiopia is among 15 Countries at Risk of Failed state

27 December 2012 | PBS

Every four years, after the U.S. president is elected, the National Intelligence Council comes out with an outlook on the world's changing dynamics -- both good and bad -- and how they might impact our lives.

For instance, by 2030, middle classes in the developing world are expected to balloon, while the tools of war, including cyber and biological weapons, are predicted to become more readily available. Climate change is destined to make wet places wetter, and dry places more arid. And new communication technologies are described as a "double-edged sword."

Also included in the 140-page outlook is a list of 15 countries deemed most in danger of becoming failed states within the next 18 years because of their potential for conflict and environmental ills. If they look familiar, it's because they're the same countries listed in 2008 -- except in a different order.

The lists are as follows in order of most likely to fail according to NTC report:

1. Somalia                                            
2. Burundi
3. Yemen
4. Uganda
5. Afghanistan
6. Malawi
7. Democratic Republic of Congo
8. Kenya 
9. Nigeria
10. Niger 
11. Pakistan
12. Chad
13. Haiti
14. Ethiopia
15. Bangladesh                                     

A controversial resettlement program in Ethiopia is the latest battleground in the global race to secure prized farmland and water: See a special report on the matter below

                         

  Watch Ethiopia: A Battle for Land and Water on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

Read The whole Report and Listen to Back ground report On each