But now, after years of benign neglect, GM is putting the pieces together, tapping the engineering, manufacturing and distribution resources of its global partners.

FORBES: Global Motors

In addition to helping establish Greece as an energy producer for the rest of Europe, tapping into those reserves could help the country ease its heavy dependence on foreign resources, estimated to cost about five percent of GDP a year.

FORBES: Amid Turmoil, Greece Streamlines Energy Recovery Action

These educational reforms are crucial if Thailand is to attract the kind of foreign investment that boosts its productivity, rather than just extracting the country's resources and tapping its consumer markets.

ECONOMIST: How much should you bet on Thailand?

We want to encourage production of oil and gas, and make sure that wherever we've got American resources, we are tapping into them.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Speaks on Expanding Our Energy Portfolio