But while money will soon flow into the region, the biggest losers are global insurers.

BBC: Christchurch businesses still hit a year after quake

Since those early years the Kurdish economy has blossomed, with construction booming all over the region as billions of dollars flow in to fund drilling activities.

FORBES: Billionaire Returns To The Iraqi Oil Game With New IPO

Despite the fanfare surrounding last week's arrival of 1, 000 American paratroopers at a muddy airstrip 30 miles north of Irbil, and the constant flow of men and materiel to the region, Kurdish officials admit that the northern front will be a considerably downsized affair.

ECONOMIST: Some useful joint house-cleaning against extremists

Additionally, the rise of Islamism threatens to disrupt the flow of oil and natural gas from the region - a significant share of the world market - while discouraging investment in untapped reserves that could lessen dependence on Middle East supplies.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: African jihad

Even after Shafiul was superbly caught low to his right by Matt Prior off the persevering Tim Bresnan, the runs continued to flow, many of them through the same third man region.

BBC: England on back foot against Bangladesh in Mirpur

Although as I've traveled around the Asia Pacific region, I and others have detected a slight sense of unease and uncertainty among government and business leaders around whether the U.S. intends to maintain its role in helping to ensure the political, economic stability of this region, other forms of stability, including the free flow of communication and commerce.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama at the APEC Business Summit