Tom Standage’s ten trends to watch in 2026 - Tom Standage’s ten trends to watch in 2026

A letter from the editor of The World Ahead

I selected the most resolvable predictions from the article. Which ones will be obviously resolvable from standard media outlets in 2026?

With luck, the fragile peace in Gaza will hold.

Conflicts will grind on in Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar.

Russia and China will test America’s commitment to its allies with “grey-zone” provocations in northern Europe and the South China Sea.

*So far America’s economy is proving more resilient than many expected to Mr Trump’s tariffs, but they will dampen global growth. And with rich countries living beyond their means, the risk of a bond-market crisis is growing.

Geothermal energy is worth watching.

Better, cheaper GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are coming, and in pill form, too.

It is unavoidable that resolution will be fuzzy, and based on personal judgement. Most probably there will be an availability bias. I will publish my resolution intention beforehand.