EMERGING DYNAMICS INTERNATIONAL: MORE CONTESTED, UNCERTAIN, AND CONFLICT-PRONE Key Takeaways During the next two decades, power in the international system will evolve to include a broader set of sources and features with expanding technological, net- work, and information power complementing more traditional military, econom- ic, and cultural soft power. No single state is likely to be positioned to dominate across all regions or domains, opening the door for a broader range of actors to advance their interests. The United States and China will have the greatest in昀氀uence on global dynamics, supporting competing visions of the international system and governance that re昀氀ect their core interests and ideologies. This rivalry will affect most domains, straining and in some cases reshaping existing alliances, international organiza- tions, and the norms and rules that have underpinned the international order. In this more competitive global environment, the risk of interstate con昀氀ict is likely to rise because of advances in technology and an expanding range of targets, new frontiers for con昀氀ict and a greater variety of actors, more dif昀椀cult deterrence, and a weakening or a lack of treaties and norms on acceptable use. 90 Photo / Bigstock