The global landscape is on the verge of significant shifts as we approach 2026, which is increasingly viewed as a pivotal year for geopolitics. Journalist Julia Chatterley recently facilitated a comprehensive discussion featuring Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, along with several experts from the Eurasia Group, who shared insights from their newly published report on the Top Risks of 2026.
A major focus of this dialogue was the role of the United States, identified as the foremost driver of global risks. This includes an accelerating political revolution domestically and a more assertive foreign policy, particularly evident in the U.S. response to developments in Venezuela. The willingness of Washington to influence political outcomes in its immediate vicinity underscores a shift that may have lasting implications for regional stability.
Joining Bremmer in the conversation were esteemed panelists including Gerald Butts, Vice Chairman; Risa Grais-Targow, Director for Latin America; Cliff Kupchan, Chairman; and Mujtaba (Mij) Rahman, Managing Director for Europe. Together, they explored a range of critical issues, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the rising instability among U.S. allies in Europe, and the intensifying competition between the U.S. and China. They also touched on the burgeoning geopolitical ramifications of artificial intelligence, reflecting a world increasingly constrained by weaker global governance.
Bremmer emphasized that these challenges are interconnected and indicative of a broader transformation toward what he describes as a GZERO world. In this environment, power dynamics are unregulated, alliances are increasingly precarious, and no single nation is capable of stabilizing the international framework.
The panel’s insights provide a foreboding yet necessary examination of the path forward as we enter this crucial year. For those interested in a deeper analysis, the full conversation is available for viewing, recorded as a livestream on January 5, 2026, alongside access to the detailed Top Risks of 2026 report.