Where not to go!

Here's a list I found of the 2007's twelve most dangerous destinations:

* Somalia
* Iraq
* Afghanistan
* Democratic Republic of Congo
* Côte d'Ivoire
* Pakistan
* Burundi
* Sri Lanka
* Haiti
* Chad
* Lebanon
* Liberia


Of course, you probably don't think of these places as vacation destinations. However, employees of governments, oil and mining industries, and telecom industries are increasingly being dispatched to these locations. If you work for one of those groups, be certain to ask about insurance, hazard pay -- and a bodyguard.

Interestingly, the article I got that from argues that the world is NOT getting more dangerous right now. Rather, globalization and the attendant "shrinking" of the planet is largely responsible for making the world APPEAR more dangerous now than before. Whether or not you agree with that assertion, the article is interesting, and the gallery is frightening.