EDITOR'S CORNER: A Bumpy Ride into 2025?

This week brings 2024 to a close, capping off a year filled with significant developments and unexpected shifts on the geopolitical stage. Across the globe, many incumbent governments faced unprecedented challenges, with some leaders ousted and others clinging to power by narrow margins. In the United States, Donald Trump is staging a dramatic comeback in the presidential race.

The war in Ukraine remains unresolved, while conflict in the Middle East has intensified. Notably, the Assad regime in Syria has collapsed, paving the way for the nation to chart a new course. Meanwhile, conditions in Russia continue to deteriorate.

As the year ends, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the key events of 2024 and share thoughts on what we might anticipate in 2025.

A YEAR OF TWISTS AND TURNS

2024 was nothing short of unpredictable. In politics, we saw power shift in ways that left many of us stunned. Incumbent leaders faced growing frustration from their people, with economic struggles, social unrest, and global challenges piling up. Some governments saw big shake-ups, with long-standing leaders getting the boot, while others barely held on. In the U.S., Donald Trump’s political comeback added even more fuel to the fire in an already divided country. Across the globe, many left-leaning governments were replaced by right-wing ones, and even leaders who seemed unbeatable—like India’s Modi—found themselves scraping through with narrower margins and forced to form coalitions to stay in power.  

On the world stage, things were equally chaotic. The war in Ukraine dragged on for another tragic year, with no end in sight. The Middle East also became more unstable, with Israel extending its war in Gaza to Lebanon and even stirring up tensions with Iran. One of the year’s most shocking moments came with the fall of Assad’s regime in Syria, marking the end of an era. But even with Assad gone, Syria’s future remains uncertain as it struggles to rebuild and redefine itself.  

Meanwhile, Russia continued its downward spiral, though not enough to really shake Putin’s grip on power. He kept up the pressure on Western countries with hybrid warfare tactics, influencing elections in places like Moldova, Georgia, and Romania. And yes, I’d say it’s fair to suspect Russian meddling in the U.S. elections too. But perhaps the most jaw-dropping development was North Korea’s involvement in the war in Ukraine. Who would have thought we’d see North Korean troops fighting in a European conflict? It’s surreal. And while China stayed in the background, I have no doubt they’re involved in ways we can’t fully see yet.  

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN 2025

Looking ahead to next year, it’s tough to imagine things calming down anytime soon. Geopolitical tensions are only going to ramp up, with unresolved conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East still front and center. Europe, in particular, could see some big shifts. 

The war in Ukraine might take new, unexpected turns—especially with North Korea’s troubling involvement and Russia doubling down on its strategy to destabilize European countries. Western alliances like NATO will be feeling the strain as they juggle supporting Ukraine with their own domestic issues. Trump’s peace plan? Let’s be real—it’s unlikely to bring actual peace, and even if it ends the war, it probably won’t be on Ukraine’s terms. That would hand Russia a win, emboldening Putin to set his sights on another target, like Moldova. Fingers crossed he’s not reckless enough to mess with a NATO country—but if he does, let’s hope NATO and the U.S. deliver a strong and unified response.  

The Middle East is still a powder keg, with no clear resolution in sight. Israel’s conflicts aren’t de-escalating anytime soon, and Iran’s potential moves are keeping everyone on edge. The Gaza conflict might calm down soon since Israel has achieved many of its goals, but tensions with Lebanon—and especially Iran—are still dangerous. Iran is a wild card, building tighter ties with the “dark triad” of Russia, China, and North Korea. That’s something we can’t ignore!  

Politically, 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point for a lot of democracies. The new U.S. presidential administration is going to dominate headlines and could send shockwaves around the globe. Meanwhile, leadership changes in Europe, Asia, and Africa could throw even more uncertainty into the mix. Economically, it’s looking like another rough year with inflation, energy issues, and supply chain problems making life harder for millions. And then there’s China. They’ll keep quietly expanding their influence in politics, the economy, and the military. Taiwan is the big question—will they make a move, or will tensions in the Taiwan Strait boil over into something more drastic?  

In short, 2025 is shaping up to be another rollercoaster year, full of high stakes and tough decisions. 

Let’s hope we’re ready for what’s coming!

CONCLUSION

As we step into 2025, it feels like the world is on the edge of something big, and we're all left wondering what comes next—for democracy, for peace, and for global stability. Looking back at 2024, it's obvious how fragile and interconnected everything is. With all the twists and turns we've seen this year, it's hard to predict exactly what’s coming. Let’s just hope the new year brings some clarity—or at the very least, fewer shocks to the system. We’ll have to stay alert and ready for whatever’s ahead.