2020's most notable change in the space environment was the addition of some 900 SpaceX Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, bringing the total constellation size to more than 1,200. This is the largest satellite constellation in history by a wide margin, and it already makes up roughly a third of all operating satellites in space.

SOURCE: "Space Threat Assessment 2021" by CSIS's Todd Harrison, Kaitlyn Johnson, Joe Moye, and Makena Young. 

On March 27, 2021, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif signed an investment agreement with Iran that calls for Chinese investment of $400 billon in Iran over a 25 year period in return for lower Iranian petroleum export prices. This agreement represents a major new step for China's "white area warfare" in the Gulf. 

SOURCE: "China and Iran: A Major Chinese Gain in "White Area Warfare in the Gulf" by CSIS's Anthony Cordesman. 

The developing world is poised to play a much bigger role in global networks, particularly Asia and Africa—where nine of the world’s ten new megacities will emerge by 2030—as well as Latin America. 

SOURCE: "Global Networks 2030: Developing Economies and Emerging Technologies" by CSIS's Jonathan Hillman and Laura Rivas. 

Erratic temperatures due to climate change are linked to negative nutrition outcomes. A 1°C increase in temperatures during a child’s prenatal period is associated with an approximate 16% increase in the odds that the child becomes stunted later in life. 

SOURCE: "Beyond Yields: Mapping the Many Impacts of Climate on Food Security" by CSIS's Christian Man.