War in Space by 2035? 350 Experts Predict Major Crises in the Next Decade

The next world war could extend beyond Earth’s atmosphere, with battles playing out in space, according to a new Atlantic Council survey of international strategists. More than 350 global affairs experts weighed in on what the world might look like in 2035, and their predictions paint a grim future.

Four in ten (40.5%) believe a major conflict involving the United States, China, or Russia is inevitable within the next decade. Many expect that war to involve nuclear weapons—and extend into space. Atlantic Council points out that 45% of respondents see a war that spills out into space occurring in the next decade.

Daily Mail out on a limb

A key reason? According to Daily Mail Assistant Science Editor Chris Melore, the creation of the US Space Force. Established in 2019 under President Donald Trump, the US Space Force has been rapidly developing military capabilities beyond Earth. The agency itself states that it is actively working to “deter and, if necessary, defeat any potential threat to U.S. space capabilities.” Melore does not go into detail as to why this act, and no other, is a key reason.

That said, with nations increasingly dependent on satellites for military intelligence, communication, and navigation, Atlantic Council’s survey shows a warning that space could become a new battleground in the next great war.

War or Climate Change: Which Is the Bigger Threat?

While the risk of global conflict is a major concern, it is not the number one issue experts predict will shape the next decade. That title goes to climate change.

In the survey, 29.9% of respondents said global warming poses the greatest threat to prosperity between now and 2035. That slightly edged out war between major world powers, which 27.6% of experts ranked as the top concern.

Meanwhile, fears over a new pandemic or rising financial debt were far lower on the list. Only 1.7% of respondents saw another global health crisis as the biggest looming issue, while 5.1% pointed to financial collapse as a leading danger.

The Decline of Global Democracy

Beyond war and climate change, experts also worry about democracy losing ground worldwide. The survey found that 62% of respondents believe the world will be worse off in 2035 than it is today.

A major factor? A growing number of countries sliding into authoritarian rule.

Strategists predict that over the next 10 years, democratic influence will decline and America’s global dominance will weaken.

The survey, conducted by the Atlantic Council, suggests we could be entering a “democratic depression,” where autocratic governments gain strength and global alliances shift.

Will Russia and NATO Clash?

The possibility of World War III isn’t just a vague fear—it’s something many experts see as a real risk within the next decade.

Among those who believe another world war is coming, 69% anticipate a direct military clash between Russia and NATO. Additionally, 45% of respondents think Russia will be involved in a full-scale shooting war with NATO by 2035.

At the same time, tensions in Asia are rising. Nearly 65% of respondents believe China will attempt to invade Taiwan within the next 10 years—a 15% increase from last year’s survey.

Meanwhile, experts predict that China, alongside Russia, Iran, and North Korea, could form a new military alliance to challenge the US and NATO.

What Will 2035 Bring?

The survey’s findings suggest a dark and uncertain future. While some experts see AI and technological progress as a positive force, others fear that war, climate change, and shifting global power dynamics will leave the world in a worse position than it is today.

With growing military tensions, space-based defense programs, and shifting alliances, one thing is clear: the decisions made today will shape the battlefields—on Earth and beyond—in the years to come.