The World Ahead: 2026 | WorldNow with Jim Falk

December 8, 2025 – Each year, The Economist publishes “The World Ahead”: an informed prediction of the major themes that will dominate the coming year – spanning topics from politics to technology to sociology and more.

Tom Standage, editor of “The World Ahead,” rejoins the Council on WorldNow to discuss his analysis for 2026. Listen in as we unpack all of the trends that will define 2026 – from a possible AI bubble and global climate policy controversies to evolving global conflicts, problems for Europe, and China’s rise.

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See more from The Economist and The World Ahead: https://www.economist.com/topics/the-…

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Send the Boats by Sebastopol (featuring the drums by Tom Standage): Sebastopol – Send The Boats

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WorldNow with Jim Falk is hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, with the World Affairs Councils of America and World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.

Presented in partnership with the Alaska World Affairs Council, Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, Columbia World Affairs Council, Columbus Council on World Affairs, Foreign Policy Association, Global Santa Fe, International Women’s Forum – Connecticut, Los Angeles World Affairs Council, Montana World Affairs Council, Off the Record, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, World Affairs Council of Albuquerque, World Affairs Council of Austin, World Affairs Council of Charlotte, World Affairs Council of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads, World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, World Affairs Council of New Orleans, World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio, World Affairs Council of Orange County, World Affairs Council of San Antonio, World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, WorldBoston, WorldDenver, and WorldOregon.

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Music composed by Zac Harmon and Christopher Troy

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