Exactly eighty years on since Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, the world is again fracturing into rival spheres of influence. As the United States, China, and Russia navigate a landscape of hybrid warfare and economic decoupling, the post-Cold War peace appears to have shattered. Does 2026 mark the return of a bipolar world, or are we facing a far more unpredictable chaos?

For The Ayes

Christopher Steele
Born in the Middle East and mainly brought up abroad, Christopher Steele read Social and Political Sciences at Girton. He subsequently worked for the British government as a foreign

Victor Gao
Victor Gao is Chair Professor, Soochow University; Guest Professor, Shenzhen University; Vice President, CCG; and Chairman, China Energy Security Association. Victor Gao was with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the 1980s, and was the English Interpreter for Deng Xiaoping and other top Chinese leaders

Konstantin Eggert
Konstantin Eggert Hon MBE is an international journalist and political analyst specialising in Russian politics, foreign and security policy, and global geopolitical competition. Born in Moscow, he is a roving international correspondent and Russia analyst for Deutsche Welle (DW).

For The Noes

Lord McDonald of Salford
Simon McDonald was born and educated in Salford, and read History at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he is now an Honorary Fellow. He was British Ambassador to Israel (2003-2006) and to Germany (2010-2015). After leaving the FCO in Autumn 22020, he was appointed a life peer, taking his seat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher in February 2021.

Dr Ho-fung Hung
Ho-fun Hung is the Henry M. and Elizabeth P. Wiesenfeld Professor in Political Economy in the Department of Sociology and the Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at the Johns Hopkins University. His analysis of global and Chinese political economy has been cited or featured in major media outlets worldwide.

Dr Jostein Hauge
Dr Jostein Hauge is a political economist and an Assistant Professor in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge. He is also a Fellow of Magdalene College. In addition to his academic research, Jostein works with governments and international organisations.