Reasons for optimism: perspective and individual empowerment

Are we living in the Second Cold War? And if so, what can we learn from the last one that might help us through it?

Historian and author Niall Ferguson sets out his view of global affairs right now and says why, compared to many times in the past, there is lot to make us optimistic.

Gayle Markovitz interviewed Niall Ferguson at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos.

Links:

The Global Risks Report 2026: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2026/

Related podcasts:

Top global risks in 2026 and how the Davos 'spirit of dialogue' can help us face them: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/global-risks-report-2026/

"Everything has changed" - Gita Gopinath on the global economy in 2026: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/gita-gopinath-global-economy-2026/

What just happened in Davos?: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/davos-2026-what-just-happened/

Chief Economists' Outlook January 2026: reassuring resilience and a 'good' bubble?: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/chief-economists-outlook-barclays-christian-keller/

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560

Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552