This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"After two years of economic declines, even the small uptick in growth we are starting to see should be a tonic for America's battered banks," says Jim Powell.

The editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report explains, "Of the major U.S. banks, I think Citigroup (C) offers investors the most promise; as such, I am selecting the stock as my top pick for 2011.

"As soon as it is possible to do so, several North American companies are likely to move quickly to enter Cuba, the greatest untapped opportunity remaining in the western hemisphere," says Jim Powell.

Here, the editor of Global Changes & Opportunities looks at what he believes are the best investment opportunities for investing in Cuba, should such a change occur.

"In August, Raul Castro announced that 500,000 public workers in Cuba will be laid off and will need to find jobs in newly-legalized small private enterprises.

"The most appealing investments are those that offer several ways to profi; that's definitely the case with TransCanada Corp. (TRP), our northern neighbor's largest pipeline and utility company. Here's a look at the Canadian pipeline company," says Jim Powell.

The editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report explains, "Here is what the blue chip stock offers U.S. investors: First, TransCanada provides an easy way to take a position in the strong Canadian dollar.

"I think the loonie will hold its value much better than the U.S. dollar over the next few years. In fact, the loonie may rise about the greenback within a few months.

"Turkey is a country that nearly everybody overlooks -- but probably not much longer," says Jim Powell, editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report.

The advisor suggests, "The best way for investors to take a position in the country's growth is with the iShares MSCI Turkey Investment Market Index (TUR).

"The ancient nation is rapidly becoming a major Middle Eastern power and an important European power at the same time. And yet, very few investors are paying attention. Those who are stand to make excellent long-term profits as Turkey continues to develop.

"Family Dollar Stores (FDO), with 6,600 stores in 44 states, is one retail chain that is benefiting from the recession," says Jim Powell.

The editor of Global Changes & Opportunities explains, "Most of us have driven by Family Dollar stores but have probably given them little notice. However, they are very popular with several million consumers of modest means.

"One defense-related investment that looks promising is the latest generation of unmanned aircraft," says Jim Powell.

The editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report says, "The new 'drones' as they are usually called, are extremely sophisticated. Most of them, such as the updated Predator and its successor the Reaper, are operated remotely from half way around the world.

"Many other drones are fully automated. They fly to predetermined points using GPS coordinate, where they take photographs, listen to electronic communications, make maps, and do other surveillance work. Some of the automated drones can remain aloft for a long as 36 hours.

"To invest in the growing personal protection industry, Brinks Home Security Holdings (NYSE: CFL) looks particularly attractive," says Jim Powell in Global Changes & Opportunities Report.

"Brinks Holdings is an October 2008 spin-off from Brinks Company; as its name suggests, Brinks Home Security has a tighter focus than its parent organization that offers security services to banks and other high value businesses.

"I think the emphasis on protecting families from burglary and home invasions is a plus in today's economy.

"A smart grid makes use of coded signals that travel along power lines, much like DSL broadband messages move through the phone telephone," explains growth stock expert Jim Powell.

In Global Changes & Opportunities Report, he looks at two favorite plays on the development of a smart grid: Esco Technologies (NYSE: ESE) and Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR).

"In a smart grid, the signals allow electric meters to report power consumption automatically to suppliers. At the same time, signals can be sent to customer's appliances such as freezers and refrigerators to prevent them from cycling on and off at the same time.

"American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC) should benefit from an update of the nation's power grid," says Jim Powell.

Here, the editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report reviews this leading manufacturer of more efficient high temperature superconductor-based wires and cables.

"I've been writing about infrastructure stocks ever since it became apparent that big federal spending programs were on the way. I believe American Superconductor will perform very well. In fact, its price has already started to rise.

"American Superconductor is not yet profitable. However, the company is well past the development stage. AMSC makes high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires and cables that carry as much as 150 times the current as conventional products of the same weight and diameter.

"Defense stocks never looked more attractive than they do now," says Jim Powell, who looks at two favorite ways to play the defense sector.

In Global Changes & Opportunities Report, he says, "The drop in defense stocks has more to do with the overall bear market in stocks than to any problems within the sector itself."

"Recent quarterly earnings from many defense companies are up, with signi?cant gains in revenues and earnings.

"Defense stocks have also been pushed down due to worries that the presidential election might go to Senator Obama, who is not expected to be a strong a supporter of the military. Historically, however, Republican and Democratic spending on defense has been about the same.

"Some investors may also be nervous about buying defense stocks if the U.S. is likely to reduce its presence in Iraq over the next few years.

"Even with the poor outlook for the economy, there are many investment opportunities being created by high energy prices and the low dollar," notes Jim Powell. In his Global Changes & Opportunities Report, he explains, "American 'rust belt companies' look especially good."

"Surprisingly, rising fuel prices are making some American manufacturers more competitive and I could not be happier about the improved outlook for many efficient U.S. producers.

"U.S. machine tool makers are starting to take back some of the business they lost to Japan 20 years ago. U.S. imports of Chinese steel are declining dramatically, while domestic production is rising at rates not seen in years.

"The list of U.S. businesses that are benefiting from the new trade relationships will lengthen, but it won't happen overnight. It's not just a matter of being loyal to the home team. America will benefit from creating more real wealth instead of the flim-flam financial products that led to the phony boom.

"African investments will be volatile and they may take years to mature," cautions Jim Powell, editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report.

Nevertheless, the advisor explains, "I believe the emergence of Africa is an important development that should be represented in your portfolio." Here he looks at two opportunities in the resource-rich region.

"The richest remaining deposits of natural resources on earth are in Africa. And a resource race is starting as America and China are in a quiet struggle in Africa to secure the resources they must have to keep their industrial economies running.

"Many African resources are untapped because most developers have been unwilling to sink billions of dollars into the region's many unstable countries.

"But with natural resource prices soaring, however, Africa's risks are now worth taking. Since 2006, publicly-listed oil companies have tripled their spending in the region.

"And few investors have yet to realize Africa's potential. However, if mainstream investors discover the region, prices could go up very quickly. Either way, I believe Africa will deliver excellent profits for at least a decade, and probably far longer.