Originally Posted by T20

Right, the top contenders will be China and India.

I do not need to say much about China but I will surely say why India.
I would say India not because I am an Indian, but i feel its rightly placed so.
1)The armed forces.The Army is the second largest standing Army in the world.The Airforce is among the 5 largest airforces in the world and has one of the most advanced fighters.
The Navy is powered with a strong fleet of Ships, Frigates and submarines.Also has an aircraft carrier, which as u might know is a prized possesion, considering even China dosent have an aircraft carrier, in its fleet(They are still building one).The Navy has the capacity to establish a naval blockade in the Indian ocean.A plan on track to have a 1000 fleet true blue navy by 2016 including two new aircraft carriers.
2)The Strong Economy.Its one of the fastest growing Economies of the World and in now a Trillion Dollar Economy, far ahead of Brasil,South Africa and even Russia.
3)The population.The population is Billion strong and next only to China.The large population of the Non resident Indians all over the world.Huge Population of Indians in Europe,US,Middle East,Australia and many other countries.
4)Cultural Influence over most of Asia.
5)Ideal Location of the country.The geographical position of the country plays a crutial role in its influence over other countries.The position of the Indian pennisula (The south of India), plays a very important role.The country can have an easy grip over the Bay of Bengal, establishing Naval blockade in the the region in the event of war means that the supply lanes are cutt of.A successful blockade can be held against Bangladesh,Burma,Thailand.
The Indian ocean is also very important. A Naval blockade by the India forces in the Indian ocean means essential supple lanes cutt off for pretty much the whole of asia.And a blockade over the Arabian can mean a cutoff of sea lanes for Pakistan, Afghanistan.
Hence, if anyone can give US and China a good run for its money, its surely India without Doubt.

Originally Posted by T20

Geographical contendors are truely the Malaysia and the Singapore region.All the main sea routes to Asia flow from there, but the lack of Unity among the countries in a concern.With different countries lobbieing with those countries.For Eg.The US aids and supports Phillipines, China lobbies Malaysia and India lobbies Singapore.
Thus, the lack o regional Unity in this region is a dampner for the countries of this region.

Secondly, Australia cannot be a superpower contendor, its firmly in the United State's camp.Also the low population is a concern.The huge Uranium reserves serve little to its eputation as almost all the supplies are subject to approval by Uncle Sam.

Hence i have my money on China and India.