Coups and coup attempts are common in Guinea-Bissau since it won independence from Portugal in 1974.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

These and other figures have offered a common assessment -- and a common prescription: German endorsement of the Croat and Slovene declarations of independence would grievously complicate efforts to end the fighting and, therefore, Germany must continue to be bound by an international consensus that denies such recognition for the foreseeable future.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Energy should be one area where Democrats and Republicans can find common ground as every President since Richard Nixon has called for American energy independence.

FORBES: Which Candidate's Energy Plan is Better for America?

While recognizing the daunting scale of the challenge, the UNESCO report describes independence as unique opportunity to set South Sudan on a new trajectory towards more dynamic growth, shared prosperity and common security.

UNESCO: EDUCATION