Statement
Four stories to watch out for in 2026
- US military planners anticipate space-based missile defense, including a "Golden Dome" shield with interceptors capable of targeting missiles at launch and enemy satellites, as vital for future conflict with Russia or China.
- The US Space Force requests a 40% budget increase for the next fiscal year to develop this shield, with SpaceX expected to support rapid satellite replenishment and hold the majority of national security spy satellite launches in 2026.
- Adversaries are expanding capabilities: China has increased satellite launches eightfold since 2015 and is developing on-orbit tactics; Russia is potentially developing space-based nuclear weapons to violate the 1967 Outer Space Treaty by 2026; Britain plans counter-space capabilities; and France is continuing rendezvous and proximity operations with the US.
- Central bank independence faces potential political pressure in 2026 as President Trump seeks lower rates and a replacement for Jerome Powell, while similar pressures target the Bank of Japan from Prime Minister Takeichi Sanai and the Bank of England from British populist parties.
- A 2026 precedent may determine if central banks yield to politics, echoing the Nixon-Burns era of the 1970s, with candidates like Kevin Hassett potentially prioritizing political alignment over economic needs.
- The first "Enhanced Games" will be held in Las Vegas in May 2026, encouraging performance-enhancing drugs with bonuses of $250,000 or $1 million for breaking specific records, set under medical supervision while natural athletes can compete.
- Backers including Peter Thiel and Christian Angermeyer envision a future where drug use for performance is commonplace, contributing to the growth of the $125-billion human enhancement industry and blurring lines between enhancement and shortcuts.
- Anti-doping agencies warn that normalizing drugs could harm young athletes and that social media will drive the "pharmaceuticalisation of daily life," though public acceptance remains to be seen.
- Two rival commissions will commemorate America's 250th birthday in 2026: the America 250 Commission, led by Obama and Bush, will host a student writing contest, while Trump's Task Force 250 plans the Patriot Games, a televised youth athletics event, and a White House lawn UFC fight.
- The 2026 commemorations will reflect deep political divisions, with the Trump administration attempting to define the national narrative to secure future sway over the country's history and future.