Many Hurdles Won't Trip Up Global Growth.

Byline: Andrew C. Schneider

Have faith in the world economy. Sure, it faces plenty of challenges. Mounting tensions in the Middle East are adding to the upward pressure on oil prices from supply constraints. High interest rates are putting a strain on consumers' finances worldwide. The demise of the Doha Round of world trade talks is fanning protectionist sentiment in many countries, threatening the expansion of global trade.

But global economic growth will ease only modestly next year to around 3%, roughly a half-point off this year's pace and about on par