Vali Nasr: Middle East, How Leaders Should Operate in Unpredictability | EDGE 2026
Shifting Geopolitical Centers of Gravity
•
22-Apr-2026
In this EDGE - Beyond The Stage 1:1, Vali Nasr explains how the Middle East is being reshaped by two forces at once: ambitious geo-economic plans built on trade corridors, artificial intelligence and data centers, and the destabilizing reality of expanding wars across the region. He breaks down why the “old order” is over, what that means for Iran, Israel, and the Gulf, and why CEOs can no longer treat geopolitics as a side issue. His takeaway is clear: leaders are operating in a more unpredictable environment, and the time horizon for business forecasting is getting shorter.
Takeaways:
• “the old order in the Middle East is gone” - the balance of power is shifting and still unsettled.
• CEOs must factor geopolitics into core decisions because regional conflict can quickly disrupt trade and markets.
• Businesses are operating with “unpredictability with much greater risk” and a shorter forecasting horizon.
Up Next in Shifting Geopolitical Centers of Gravity
-
Marco Vicenzino: Politics Above Profi...
In this EDGE - Beyond The Stage 1:1, Marco Vicenzino explains why leaders are moving from a “profits above politics” world to a “politics above profits” era - and what that means for supply chains, risk, and decision-making. He argues geopolitical risk must be a core part of every leader’s toolki...
-
Geopolitics and Markets: Navigating t...
Middle East in Focus: Geopolitics, Markets and What Comes Next.
Join us for a timely briefing on unfolding developments in the Middle East and across the MENA region. This session will provide expert perspectives on the geopolitical implications of the Iran conflict and the resulting impact on g...
-
The New World Investment Map: Geopoli...
A Private Session with Parag Khanna
Charlie Munger famously recognized Parag Khanna, for his ability to map where the world is headed. Today, as AI, trade wars, and mass migration redraw the global map, Parag’s "Strategic Geography" framework is the essential tool for navigating a fragmented econ...
