Is the political landscape in Western democracies more akin to a battlefield of strategic visions, or does it resemble the free, wild flow of a fast and powerful river? The current political climate suggests that chance plays a greater role than the diligent implementation of a strategic vision, assuming such a vision even exists. We are in the midst of an existential stress test for the West, one that is challenging not only the endurance of our existing security and defence architecture but also the resilience of our societal fabric as a whole. How can we effectively assess and enhance the degree of understanding and agreement among politicians, academics, industry leaders, and broader society regarding the principal challenges now facing us in the information space? What is the potentially achievable depth of consensus within our societies – should we settle for the art of the possible or can we do more?