The world welcomes 2026 with intensified geopolitical and geo-economic tensions and persistent conflicts.

A Fracturing International Order and the Rise of a “No-Rules World”

On the other hand, the new Eastern superpowers, Russia and China, will have a greater role and power on the global stage. Nonetheless, volatility and instability will be the defining factors of the international landscape. In addition, the world would see a sharp rise in multipolarity, with middle powers playing an unprecedentedly increasing influence in shaping global geopolitics. Given the ongoing international events, the world will see a surge in shifting alliances, increasing unpredictability, and eroding regulations – leading to an unprecedented shift in the international geopolitical landscape.

These geopolitical shifts will be determined by developments in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the trajectory of US-China relations and the global response to President Trump’s protectionist policies. In 2025, global norms have faced a severe backlash due to US President Donald Trump’s repeated disruptive policies. Other global powers are also showing a similar disregard for these international norms. Hence, a “no-rules world” will become increasingly evident in the year 2026. Control Risks, a London-based consultancy firm, has also predicted in its report that globally established rules will break........

© New Eastern Outlook