I don't personally think that Oneworld necessarily needs to expand like the Star Alliance thinks it needs to. Saving my personal distaste towards LX being allowed to join, Oneworld needs an Eastern European airline, they need a presence in China, one in Japan, India, and the Middle East. Each has their challenges, though. Eastern Europe has the obvious problems that LX is going through of being very close and therefore very competitive with existing members. Again, I am very against LX joining but I suppose it's a fact at this point that they eventually will. IMO, it would have been far easier to integrate a LOT or a Malev for a number of reasons. Oneworld (and all other alliances) have been courting both Dragonair and JAL for a very long time and both believe that they dont need an alliance or at least that it's not going to give them any significant benefits. Air India has also indicated this from my understanding. Finally, a middle eastern airline is a matter of time. Emirates is obviously on a tear right now, ordering planes like they are going out of style, but Gulf Air is not far behind. I have additionally heard nothing but good things about Qatar airlines so it wouldnt surprise me if they are being shopped around. I can't see Kuwait Airways or Saudi Arabia Airlines joining an alliance until they loosen up the visa restrictions so people can transit without having to go through a foot of paperwork.

Personally, I am glad that Oneworld isn't expanding like Star. There is a certain benefit that comes with economies of scale but there is also a point where those economies are defeated. There has been a lot of discussion in the past about a "European" airline dropping out. I expect it will be EI which adds very little to the route structure or IB if they get gobbled up by BA. Finnair seems to be continuously expanding which is nice to see.