Global crisis will start in 2026? (Image- AI generated)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. 2026 is not going to be easy for the world. Since the beginning of the year, there are indications that the crisis that people were facing in 2025 is not going to end in 2026, but is going to pose a challenge to the world with greater strength.
Toxic air, tension in countries, political instability, health crisis, unexpected climate change, war of powers and the era of technological change and misuse of AI, these are the problems that can take a bigger form in 2026. Misuse of technology has emerged as a big crisis today. These are the crises that the world may have to face in the new year.
Two decisive forces dominate this unstable environment. A United States that is comfortable with turmoil and a China whose economic and strategic uncertainty extends far beyond its borders. Collectively, these forces are shaping a world that enters the new year in 2026 with less security, less scope, and little room for mistakes.
air crisis in delhi
As soon as winter arrives in Delhi, the havoc of pollution and smog is seen. The air quality repeatedly slipped into the severe category, with the AQI remaining above 450 for several days. Dense fog, toxic smoke from vehicles and industrial emissions, which lead to widespread respiratory diseases.
To deal with this, authorities have banned construction and used diesel trucks and even closed schools on very bad days. Delhi's smog will continue to threaten public health and productivity in 2026 and beyond.
2025 passed with tariff threats and tall claims about resolving wars, however, looking at Trump's track record, it seems that some change in his behavior is about to happen. Trump looks at every issue from a business perspective, which he does not hesitate to use even to run the tariff hunter in his favor.
According to his nature, Trump believes in putting pressure on other countries to get his point done. Export-dependent economies of Asia, Europe, and Latin America face the constant threat of sudden penalties, while allies find that loyalty provides little protection from economic punishment. The supply chains that were painstakingly rebuilt after the pandemic are once again under pressure.
Trump's foreign policy is equally transactional. In Latin America, his aggressive stance towards Venezuela, including oil embargoes, shipping restrictions, and threats to third countries that purchase Venezuelan crude. They have destabilized global energy markets and revived regional instability.
Abnormal changes in weather are becoming normal
Extreme weather is no longer a shock; Now the shock comes when nothing happens. 2025 saw unprecedented disasters in the US alone, with Category 5 Hurricane Melissa hitting Jamaica and record-breaking flooding in Texas causing massive damage. Carbon pollution is increasing the possibility of such incidents.
Climate experts have reported that record-high temperatures in the US in 2025 were 89% more likely to be caused by greenhouse gases, and pollution increased both hurricane intensity and wildfire risk. In fact, early reports suggest the first half of 2025 was the costliest ever for US climate disasters, with wildfires and hurricanes breaking records.
Globally, 2025 was on track to become one of the hottest five years on record, driven by ever-increasing emissions and without a transition to clean energy, the frequency of deadly heat waves, floods and fires will only increase.
In 2026, China will try to put pressure on the world not on one but on many fronts. Which will affect everything from security to supply chain and markets. It will challenge the world not with a single major shock, but with a combination of tension, scale and uncertainty.
The biggest problem remains Taiwan. Beijing's military activities around the island have become more frequent, more complex and more routine, blurring the line between exercises and preparations. Each exercise tests reactions in Washington, Tokyo and Taipei, and each increases the risk of accident or miscalculation.
Even without aggression, China's pressure tactics—air incursions, naval patrols and economic pressure—keep the region under tension and force others to plan for the worst.
China challenges the West in technology
In terms of technology and power, as the West tightens control over advanced chips and AI tools, China is emphasizing self-reliance, state-backed innovation and military modernization. It accelerates the fragmentation of global systems, trade, technological standards, and security alliances, forcing countries to choose sides or walk an increasingly narrow middle path.
In 2026, China will challenge the world less with its announcements and more with the uncertainty it creates strategically, economically and technologically.
Other crises facing the world
As the world enters 2026, the global security landscape is filled with unresolved wars and smoldering tension zones, many of which show little sign of de-escalation.
Rapid advances in technology are creating new risks and social debates. In particular, Artificial Intelligence is a double-edged sword. On one hand, AI promises efficiency and innovation; On the other hand, it can pose rapidly spreading threats.
The next pandemic will probably not be like Covid, and perhaps that is why it will catch governments unprepared. Although the serious phase of Covid-19 has passed, new crises are emerging. A major threat is antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The World Health Organization warns that almost one in six bacterial infections now resist standard antibiotics. In other words, common diseases can become deadly again.
Incidence of diseases increases in 2025
Africa saw more than 300,000 cases of cholera and 140,000 cases of measles by year's end. Dengue fever also reached record levels in Latin America, with climate change fueling the spread of mosquitoes. Vaccine-preventable diseases are re-emerging even in rich countries.
Both the US and Canada reported increases in measles cases linked to hesitancy to get vaccinated. The burden of mental health and long-term Covid complications is increasing pressure on hospitals.
So where will this take us?
The danger in 2026 is not of decline but of complacency. A world accustomed to turmoil may mistake instability for tolerance and emergency for normalcy. When this happens, buffers are reduced and margins are eroded.
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