The Bunker – News without the nonsense Brave new world – Is 2026 our last chance?
Nov 18, 2025
Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist and historian, dives into the forecasts for 2026. He discusses the impending challenges rich countries face from economic excess and the looming AI bubble burst. The blurred lines of hybrid warfare raise concerns, as does Europe's struggle with defense and political stability. Meanwhile, China's rise through strategic trade deals is reshaping global power dynamics. Standage also touches on the climate outlook, emphasizing the peak of emissions and potential clean-tech solutions. A thought-provoking analysis!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Forecasting To Broaden Possibilities
- The World Ahead's aim is to broaden horizons by mapping multiple plausible futures rather than to be precisely predictive.
- Tom Standage says it is better to be interesting than boring when forecasting the year ahead.
250th Anniversary Shapes A Political Verdict
- The US's 250th anniversary will produce sharply divergent narratives from rival political camps.
- Tom Standage expects the midterms to act as a more consequential verdict on America's direction.
Geopolitics: Cold War Or Spheres Of Influence?
- The old rules-based world order is fracturing and Washington lacks a consistent China policy under Trump.
- Standage frames the choice as either a new Cold War or a return to spheres of influence but notes uncertainty about Trump's long-term stance.