War, China, Trump and AI Have Created Perma-Crisis

The struggle for the Strait of Hormuz rages on, new US sanctions threats against Iran notwithstanding. Russian drone and missile strikes punctuate a savage war in Ukraine now approaching its half-decade mark. Fierce competitions afflict regions from East Asia to Eastern Europe. American alliances are in a state of upheaval, while the global economy is fractured by tariffs and sanctions. It seems that nearly every week brings the next AI breakthrough, both promising and portentous.