Ian Bremmer on Navigating a Fragmenting World

The global order that shaped the past several decades is giving way to a more fragmented and uncertain world. Long-standing alliances are under strain, economic integration is giving way to competition, and geopolitical risk is once again a central driver of markets and policy. These shifts are not abstract. They are reshaping trade flows, disrupting supply chains, and contributing to volatility in energy markets and the broader economy—affecting everything from fuel prices to the cost of goods. So, how might great power competition, geopolitical fragmentation, artificial intelligence, and global instability redefine the international landscape? And what will that mean for policymakers, businesses, and the global energy system? This week's episode features a fireside chat between Jason Bordoff and Ian Bremmer from the Columbia Global Energy Summit 2026, which was hosted by the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA and recorded earlier today. Jason and Ian examine the Iran crisis, the Islamabad talks, and the shifting dynamics of the Gulf region. They also address the "myth" of sovereign AI, China's strategy, and the deep structural concerns of global CEOs navigating today's volatility. Ian Bremmer is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, a geopolitical risk advisory firm, and GZERO Media, a digital media company providing coverage of international affairs. He is the author of eleven books, including his latest work, The Power of Crisis: How Three Threats—and Our Response—Will Change the World. Ian also teaches at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.