How states might fail can be described as a deteriorating process where government authority and state institutions become weaker and weaker until they finally cease to exist. The purpose of this report has been to present an general view and different explanations as to why states might fail in the period of 2017-2027. Nothing in this study shows that the problems created by How states might fail can be described as a deteriorating process where government authority and state institutions become weaker and weaker until they finally cease to exist. The purpose of this report has been to present an general view and different explanations as to why states might fail in the period of 2017-2027. Nothing in this study shows that the problems created by failing states will cease in a 20-year perspective. The tendency is rather that weak states will continue to create an insecure environment on a local, regional and on a global level. The trends listed below emanate from the present situation, possible development and implications for the failing states per se. I addition implications on the Swedish Armed Forces´ future tasks in peace operations are considered. o Peace operations in failed states (without regime) will probably formally become a manageable problem for the international community o More advanced early warning systems will detect signals of state failure faster than before o The responsibility to take (early) action will probably primarily be transferred to regional actors o Increased integration and more joint functions in peace operations o Coordination of actions between different levels and increased effectiveness will be called for by donors o Peace operations will be managed in well developed concepts of a "purchaser-provider model" o Increased use of private military organizations in peace operations will lead to more and various actors in different constellations o Increasd risk for operations ni armed conflicts between "new"- often weak - and "old" democracies