Geopolitical rivalry among major powers such as the US, China and Russia is increasingly viewed as the most serious threat to global peace.

Rising tensions over Taiwan, Ukraine and influence in the Global South have driven military build-ups, sanctions and the erosion of international norms.

The World Economic Forum recently ranked interstate conflict as a top global risk, warning that mistrust between powers could derail cooperation on urgent challenges like climate change and economic recovery.

While other risks remain, the scale and scope of rivalry between nuclear-armed states heightens the danger of escalation, proxy wars and disruption of global institutions meant to preserve stability.