Predicting the future may be a waste of time.
Failing to understand it is a waste of opportunity.
Strategic foresight helps navigate uncertainty,
anticipate risk, and spot opportunities.
THE FUTURE OF DRONES:
Strategic Interregnum
Living through highly dynamic and deeply transformative "second drone age" makes strategic foresight an essential tool to navigate through the fog of uncertainty. Beyond technological considerations, there are broader drone–related trends which will shape the security environment of NATO and introduce substantial political, societal and economic consequences. In THE FUTURE OF DRONES: Strategic interregnum, you can read about the main challenges, the driving forces that will shape the next drone era, and its possible strategic implications.
Future of Software-Defined Vehicles
The automotive industry is undergoing a transformation driven by the emergence of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The nature of vehicles is changing, as they are increasingly defined not only by hardware but also by integrated software architectures that enable new capabilities and enhance existing ones. The report - Future of Software-defined vehicles - concludes that SDVs offer substantial opportunities for innovation, safety, and new value creation, yet also pose systemic risks if security, privacy and broader societal trust are not adequately addressed. For policymakers, success depends on enabling ecosystems rather than relying solely on regulation. For industry actors, adaptability, (cyber)security-by-design, and balanced hardware-software strategies will be decisive.
DRONE FUTURES: ROAD TO 2040
Foresight from Central Europe
Central Europe faces many serious challenges – security, economic competitiveness and demography being just the most obvious. Harnessing drone technology may become part of the solutions. DRONE FUTURES: ROAD TO 2040 – Foresight from Central Europe examines how drone technologies are transforming the world. While regionally grounded in Central Europe, its findings have broader relevance. The goal is to help readers ask the right questions and focus on the key issues that inform investments, regulation, infrastructure development, and strategic planning – maximising benefits while minimising risks.
Geocalendar
Ø The 2026 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) will take place on 3-4 June 2026 in Paris. Under the theme "Getting Industrial Policies Right for Open Markets, Growth and Prosperity", OECD Members will discuss how industrial strategies and competitive markets can contribute to long-term growth.
Ø As the UN prepares for the months ahead, key elections will take place - the election of the President of the General Assembly at its 81st session on 2 June 2026, the election of non-permanent members of the Security Council for the term 2027-2028 on 3 June 2026, and the election of members of the ECOSOC for the term 2027-2029 on 4 June 2026.
Ø The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held 3–6 June 2026. Saudi Arabia will be the guest country at SPIEF 2026.
Ø Amid geopolitical and geoeconomic turbulence generated by the war in Iran, OPEC will hold the 41st OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting on 7 June 2026.
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Did you know that...
... the Moon may hold more than 1 million tonnes of helium-3?
Helium 3 is an isotope of helium that is exceptionally rare on Earth, but scientists believe the Moon's surface contains larger amounts. Helium 3 has attracted attention for its potential use as a fuel for future nuclear fusion. It is estimated that, in theory, 25–30 tons of Helium 3 could power the entire United States for a year. In addition, helium-3 could enable clean energy production. Although commercial fusion based on helium-3 remains uncertain and technologically distant, its promise links energy, geopolitics, and lunar exploration in a powerful way and already shapes strategic thinking about the Moon as a future resource frontier.
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The term of the week
Black Elephant
Known or highly probable, high impact events that lie beyond the realm of normal expectations an are thus ignored or not given sufficient attention (Known Knowns). Black elephant represents situations that we are aware of and know well. Nevertheless, we refuse to accept them or we ignore them for various social, political, cultural, or economic reasons. This is a case of the "elephant in the room" - situations where fears or prejudices outweigh active action.
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