The world enters 2026 under compounding pressures. The United States, under Donald Trump’s second term, has imposed a 10% global import tariff and withdrawn from the WHO, reshaping the multilateral order. A fragile US-China tariff truce holds at 30%/10% baseline rates, but tensions over Taiwan remain elevated. Russia and Ukraine are locked in a grinding stalemate across the Donbas front, with no peace talks in sight. The most acute crisis erupted on 28 February 2026: US and Israeli strikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei; Iran is retaliating across the Middle East, and the region is on the edge of full-scale war.
AI has crossed into the agentic era — autonomous systems are acting on behalf of users and institutions without step-by-step human instruction. DeepSeek R1 narrowed the US-China AI capability gap dramatically. Renewable energy met 109% of new global electricity demand in 2025 — the first year solar and wind outpaced all new demand. Global temperature anomaly reached 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels in 2025. The morning papers have never mattered more.
Historical Events
March 2026
Iran retaliates — Middle East war escalates
Iran’s Interim Leadership Council directed ballistic missile and drone strikes against US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and Iraq, and against Israeli cities. Hezbollah launched simultaneous rocket barrages from Lebanon.
The Middle East is in its most dangerous state since 1973. Oil prices at multi-year highs. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is under threat. The US has deployed additional carrier strike groups to the region.
- geopolitics
- military-and-defence
- energy
- trade-and-commerce
- finance-and-markets
28 February 2026
US and Israel strike Iran — Supreme Leader Khamenei killed
In a coordinated strike, US and Israeli forces targeted Iranian military and leadership sites. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed. Iran’s Interim Leadership Council immediately took control of state functions.
The most significant Middle East escalation in decades. Iran immediately began retaliatory strikes on US Gulf bases and Israeli territory. Global oil prices surged. The UN Security Council held emergency sessions.
- geopolitics
- military-and-defence
- energy
- finance-and-markets
February 2026
Japan election — LDP majority restored, Takaichi confirmed as PM
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a parliamentary majority in snap elections. Sanae Takaichi was confirmed as Prime Minister — Japan’s first female head of government.
Ended a period of coalition instability. Takaichi has committed to continuing defence spending increases and close US alignment.
- domestic-politics
- geopolitics
- military-and-defence
19 February 2026
South Korea: President Yoon convicted, sentenced to life imprisonment
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol was convicted of insurrection following his short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Affirmed South Korean democratic institutions. Opposition leader Lee Jae-Myung won the subsequent presidential election.
- domestic-politics
- law-and-justice
February 2026
United States withdraws from the World Health Organisation
The Trump administration formally withdrew the US from the WHO, citing cost and alleged political bias. The withdrawal takes effect after 12 months under WHO rules.
Reduced WHO funding by ~18%. Triggered emergency fundraising from EU and philanthropic donors. Weakened global pandemic preparedness coordination.
- domestic-politics
- public-health
- geopolitics
January 2026
Davos 2026 — record attendance of world leaders
The World Economic Forum in Davos attracted a record 60+ heads of state and government, reflecting acute demand for global coordination amid trade wars, AI disruption, and Middle East escalation.
Produced no binding agreements but signalled elite consensus around AI governance frameworks and tariff de-escalation talks.
- geopolitics
- trade-and-commerce
- artificial-intelligence
1 January 2026
Bulgaria adopts the euro
Bulgaria became the 21st member of the eurozone on 1 January 2026, replacing the lev with the euro after years of preparation and meeting Maastricht convergence criteria.
Deepened EU economic integration and provided currency stability to one of the EU’s poorest member states.
- finance-and-markets
- trade-and-commerce
- domestic-politics
