2026 is a tipping point year, says Ian Bremmer, founder of Eurasia Group. Highlighting the top risks that await the world, he breaks down the US military extraction of Venezuela leader Nicolás Maduro and explains why US President Donald Trump’s embrace of the “Donroe doctrine” kicks off the most uncertain geopolitical environment in decades. With stark insights on what's to come in Europe, Russia and China, this is a can't-miss look at the volatile world order. (This interview, hosted by TED’s Helen Walters, was recorded on January 5, 2026.)

The biggest global risks for 2026

The world faces a tipping point as aggressive new strategies reshape international order and undermine old alliances. In a stunning move, the US extracted Venezuela’s leader and enforced its will with military might, signaling a broader doctrine of unilateral dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Meanwhile, Europe struggles to respond as political fractures and external pressures mount, and Russia escalates unconventional threats against NATO states. With democratic norms eroding in America and geopolitical risks multiplying, the future looks volatile but still holds the seeds of hope and renewal.

Global Power Shifts Create an Age of Uncertainty

The world in 2026 stands at a dramatic crossroads, with the United States deep into a political revolution and its global role shifting sharply. A stunning US military operation brought Venezuela's leader to New York, signaling a new, unpredictable doctrine of intervention. Europe faces mounting internal divisions and external pressures, risking fragmentation as adversaries test NATO and the EU’s resolve. While optimism is hard to find, there is hope that urgent crises can fuel needed change and innovation.