U.S. facing wide-ranging threats.

Uneven economies, demographics and bad governance combined with the proliferation of missiles, weapons of mass destruction and large regional armies pose a significant challenge to the United States, said Kenneth Knight, chief of the defense warning office for the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Knight, speaking at a missile defense conference, said that the United States is seen by its adversaries as the source of trouble in the world.

"We are the center of gravity in this emerging world," he said.

However, those views could change if the U.S. is successful in Iraq and Afghanistan, he said.

"Maybe [it will shake] future perceptions," said Knight.

Adversaries are becoming adept at coping with U.S. military power. They are learning how to exploit public opinion as well as fighting in asymmetrical ways--deploying in complex terrain and avoiding decisive engagements, he added.

Even outer space, which the United States has controlled, may soon be exploited by future enemies.

"Any potential adversary will have access [to space] through international consortia," Knight said.

Most of the regions and conflicts that America needs to be concerned about are in the Middle East, including Iraq (a continued terrorist threat), the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran, Pakistan and internal problems in Afghanistan. Other nations of concern include North Korea, Columbia, Venezuela, and the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, said Knight.

Knight is also concerned with development of and acquisition of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and WMDs by countries around the world. For example, China is intent on expanding its strategic capabilities, he said.

"What does China hope to get nut of its nuclear capabilities? That's a concern to me," he said.

Russia, which has half the military strength of its Cold War days, still retains an effective deterrent--its nuclear capability, Knight said. "But will [Russia] rely on nukes with its military in disarray?"