Still professing optimism, he said three huge problems could yet cloud our future: growing income inequality, too much political and economic instability, and an unsustainable energy regime.

FORBES: Bill Clinton Enlivens Dell Conference

Dismal consumer confidence is cited as a source of concern, along with further commodity price instability - most notably the cost of energy.

BBC: Stands Scotland's economy where it did?

We continue to disagree with the U.S. slowdown forecasts based on rate hikes, expensive energy, a consumer slump, or broad instability related to a housing slowdown.

FORBES: Malpass: Global Expansion on Track

The international energy market of the twenty-first century is witnessing an unprecedented period of turmoil and instability, an indication of an indisputable global power shift that holds serious, long-term implications for U.S. national security interests throughout the world.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Energy Squeeze