As the Malian troops advance, some other countries in the region are joining the French force aiding them.

CNN: U.S. steps up involvement in Mali

If he gets his way, his country will stop growing at its roaring pace, joining the trend in a region that will soon get smaller.

FORBES: Carlos Celdran and Asia's Sinkhole Demographics

Successful low-fare ventures like EasyJet and Ryanair, which are looking to expand in Eastern Europe, have not yet begun flights to Poland, the largest country in the region, which is joining the European Union next May.

CNN: Polish Air Polonia expands network