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By Tom Standage, Editor, The World Ahead 2026
T his is Donald Trump’s world—we’re all just living in it. The disruptor-in-chief was the biggest factor shaping global affairs in 2025, and that will be the case for as long as he remains in the White House. His norm-shattering approach has caused turmoil in some areas (as in trade) but has also delivered diplomatic results (as in Gaza) and forced necessary change (as with European defence spending). As the Trumpnado spins on in 2026, here are ten trends and themes to watch in the coming year.
1. America’s 250th.
Expect to hear wildly diverging accounts of America’s past, present and future, as Republicans and Democrats describe the same country
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