With problems we are facing not only in our own country, but abroad...what do you think the world will be like in another 10 years (2026)?

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 10:05:00 -0500

Issues with terrorists in our country...the recent events of Iranians capturing our Sailors....and other countries being overrun with ISIS. What do you think our country and the world will be like in 10 years?

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jan 18 at 2016 10:18 AM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 10:18:18 -0500

- If asked this question in 2006, I don't think many would have predicted that the Middle East would be more unstable than ever and that we would still be involved in these conflicts.
- If asked this question in 1996, I don't think many would have predicted that the US would be involved in two massive land based wars against terror groups.
- If asked this question in 1986, I don't think many would have predicted that the USSR would be gone and we would be in a post-cold war world.
- If asked this question in 1976, I don't think many would have predicted the rise of the US military force under Reagan given the severe reduction post-Vietnam.
- If asked this question in 1966, I don't think many would have predicted the escalation of Vietnam and the disastrous results it would have had for us.
- If asked this question in 1956, I don't think many would have predicted we would be entering a conflict in Vietnam.
- If asked this question in 1946, I don't think many would have predicted the Korean War.
- If asked this question in 1936, I don't think many would would have predicted World War II.

When asking this question in 2016, there are many obvious things to consider, such as continued terror threats from Islamic extremists and other groups, the ambition of Putin and Russia, the economic rise and military expansion of China, the erosion of US economic power and political in-fighting, etc. However, if anybody could actually predict what the world will look like in 10 years, he/she will be one of the few. The only thing we can say for sure is that America must remain politically, militarily, economically, and culturally strong to face whatever dangers there are against freedoms in the world.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 10:26 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 10:26:06 -0500

I think optempo will keep up, training and deployments will continue, but the footprint will be smaller and funds tighter.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 10:44 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 10:44:52 -0500

A lot depends on the policy course that future leaders of the United States and other powers chart, but I think one thing that will happen by 2026 is a major war over resources, most likely oil. It could be in the middle east. It could be in West Africa. It could be in the South China Sea. Maybe more than one of them, but I doubt that none will happen. In the nearer term, oil prices that seem to not have a floor are very destabilizing to oil producing nations that rely heavily on that revenue to run large militaries and large social welfare programs such as Venezuela, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Russia.

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 18 at 2016 11:14 AM

SPC David S. — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:14:58 -0500

I see the challenge coming out of North Korea - some coup (China sponsored) or civil war in North Korea that gets China involved in their own version of Vietnam as they attempt to stabilize their border plus the opportunity of a land grab after the conflict. What better way to test their new carrier fleet - start a war. Most of the world would support this move with little blow back.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Jan 18 at 2016 12:08 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 12:08:16 -0500

I think there will be an economic realignment in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China). Additionally, there will be realignment in the African continent. Innovations that were once the purview of the United States will become more commonplace in other areas. Finally, there will be a shift of economic capital toward China. The dollar may continue to be the benchmark, but will get some serious competition from the yuan.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 18 at 2016 1:53 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 13:53:34 -0500

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member I disagree with your unspoken assertion that the captured Sailors event is somehow tied into Bad World Happenings. Those guys violated a sovereign state's territory, inadvertently or not, and paid what was really a very light price, considering how it might have gone even just 3 years ago.

And I'm a Sailor, so...

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jan 18 at 2016 3:29 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:29:03 -0500

In both cases a lot worse than today.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 5:49 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 17:49:28 -0500

The world will be wonderful. Everyone gets a puppy. Unless you're a cat person, then you get a ball of yarn and an online dating profile at eHarmony for free.