CIA director: Growing populations, rise of China among challenges U.S. faces

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Burgeoning populations, the rise of China, and a less-than-harmonious relationship with Europe are three key challenges facing the United States as it moves further into the 21st century, according to CIA Director Michael Hayden.

In a speech at Kansas State University on Wednesday, Hayden indicated the world's population is expected to grow by 45 percent to 9 billion people by mid-century, mostly in countries that cannot sustain it. Such rapid growth in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, coupled with likely mass migration to developed countries, will strain resources and increase the risk of violence, civil unrest or extremism, he said.

The CIA director predicted China will achieve great-power status during this century. Although he called China an economic and political competitor, he said, "China is not an inevitable enemy."

–From CNN National Security Producer Pam Benson