Tamas Arki

A region once made inaccessible by ice is rapidly becoming one of the most contested spaces in global politics. As Arctic ice disappears, routes are becoming more navigable, creating shorter distances for transoceanic shipments than current ones using the Suez or Panama canals. Melting ice also provides access to previously unexploited natural resources: the region is home to vast mineral and rare-earth deposits, as well as oil reserves estimated to hold 20% of the world’s remaining fossil fuels.

If 2025 was the year of lawlessness, this descent could continue into the new year. The current turbulence of global politics makes predictions increasingly more difficult – but even more necessary as our attention splinters across the globe. For 2026, we delve into several regions of the world to comprehend the rapidly changing world. In our view the most pressing questions are: What ongoing regional crises could spiral or which ones could end?

Many a commentator have been criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump for his way of working in high politics and diplomacy. His candid and direct – almost obtrusive – style of handling trade and political exchange is undoubtedly one of his signature moves not just vis-a-vis his opponents on the world stage but also with his allies, most notably, the European Union.