World Future Society

A wide-ranging report from the US Central Intelligence Agency provides a picture of the world in 2015 based largely on trends in 7 key sectors. Global Trends 2015 is based on trend information from a number of nongovernmental resources. The CIA draws on contributions from experts in academia, think tanks, and the corporate world. Global Trends 2015 noted a number of changes since its previous report, Global Trends 2010. For example, globalization has emerged as a more powerful driver, with the spread of information technology having a much greater influence than portrayed in the 2010 study. Natural resources get more attention, with the report noting that over 3 billion people will live in water-stressed regions from North China to Africa, with implications for conflict. The report also takes note of the growing power of China and the declining power of Russia.