As the curtains close on 2024, it becomes increasingly evident that this was a year where politics danced on the precipice of chaos and transformation. Across continents, governments swayed, ideologies hardened, and the delicate veneer of global diplomacy fractured. The tectonic plates of global politics shifted with unprecedented elections, ideological resurgences, and a volatile interplay of nationalism, populism, and resistance movements. To understand the trajectory of our world, we must dissect the trends that have defined this year, examining the actors, and the shifting allegiances that have shaped the unfolding drama on the global stage.
The United States: Democracy in Peril or Resilience?
2024 saw the United States at the center of global attention, as the presidential elections underscored the nation’s ideological gulf. Kamala Harris, aiming to become the first elected female president, ran a campaign centered on reproductive rights, gun control, and tackling economic inequality. Donald Trump, on the other hand, leveraged his MAGA base with a vengeance, attacking Harris as a “socialist lunatic” and framing himself as the savior of the American Dream. Trump’s rallies in Rust Belt states like Ohio and Pennsylvania were theatrical, while chants of “Lock her up!” and promises to “finish the wall” reverberated the majority of his addresses. The polarised rhetoric highlighted the United States' ideological chasm, with democracy itself appearing fragile under the strain of election denialism and culture wars.
In the wake of Trump's victory, the United States finds itself grappling with a new era of political uncertainty. Trump, having successfully capitalized on voter discontent with economic stagnation and cultural shifts, will enter office with a mandate to further dismantle what he and his supporters deem to be the "deep state" — a term he used to describe entrenched political elites and institutions. As America navigates this turbulent post-election landscape, the survival of its democratic institutions hangs in the balance, with many fearing that Trump’s second term could signal the beginning of a deeper erosion of democratic norms.
The Middle East: Genocide and Regime Shifts
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which escalated following Hamas's attacks in October 2023, has sparked widespread international condemnation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been labeled a war criminal for ordering airstrikes on civilian targets, including hospitals, schools, and residential areas, leading to thousands of Palestinian casualties. In response to these actions, Ireland has been at the forefront of pushing for accountability, calling for sanctions against Israel and the prosecution of Netanyahu. In a rare and significant diplomatic move, Ireland closed the Israeli embassy in Dublin in protest of Israel's actions, marking a clear break with Israel and demonstrating the country's firm stance on Palestinian rights.
Syria witnessed another critical regime shift as Bashar al-Assad faced unprecedented pressure from domestic uprisings and international sanctions. Assad’s loss of control in key provinces marked the resurgence of opposition forces, while U.S. and Turkish-backed coalitions capitalized on the chaos to assert influence. While some heralded the weakening of Assad’s grip as an opportunity for democratic governance, skeptics warned of another prolonged power vacuum in the region.
The situation has also drawn Israel into the conflict more directly. Throughout 2024, Israel has conducted a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed militias and weapon depots in Syria. The Israeli government remains deeply concerned about Iran’s expanding military presence in Syria and the potential for these forces to attack Israel via proxy groups like Hezbollah.
The role of NATO in Syria has also become more entangled, with the U.S. continuing to support Kurdish forces while managing a delicate balance with Turkey, a NATO ally. The international community remains divided, with some powers backing the Assad regime or its Iranian supporters, while others support the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the east. As the conflict enters 2025, Syria’s future remains uncertain, as foreign powers continue to vie for influence, and Israel’s role in the conflict only grows more pronounced, exacerbating an already volatile situation.
Saudi Arabia continued to navigate a complex political landscape, balancing ambitious economic goals with ongoing human rights concerns. Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom pushed forward with its Vision 2030 reform agenda, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil dependency. The 2024 Global Investment Summit in Riyadh, which saw prominent international leaders, highlighted Saudi Arabia's role as a growing economic hub.
However, despite these optimistic projections, Saudi Arabia remained under scrutiny for its human rights record. While the government promoted a more liberal image through reforms such as allowing women to drive and opening up the entertainment sector, activists continued to face persecution, with figures like Loujain al-Hathloul still facing travel bans and restrictions. Additionally, the kingdom's involvement in the Yemen conflict remained a point of international criticism, with ongoing airstrikes leading to widespread civilian casualties. As Saudi Arabia expands its international influence and economic power, its domestic and foreign policies continue to draw significant attention, raising questions about the true nature of its reforms and the long-term impact on its citizens' freedoms.
Pakistan: A Fragile Democracy on Shaky Ground
In Pakistan, the 2024 general elections were fraught with controversy, and allegations of systematic manipulation. Imran Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), surged back into the political arena, capitalizing on widespread public anger over rising inflation and the country's crippling corruption scandals.
However, the path to these elections was far from fair. Khan and his supporters were subjected to an unprecedented wave of persecution by the state. Imran Khan has been illegally incarcerated on fabricated charges for over five hundred days after a botched assassination attempt. Thousands of PTI members and activists, including many of Khan’s close associates, were arrested on baseless grounds, often with no formal charges filed against them. These incarcerations were widely seen as politically motivated attempts to prevent Khan from campaigning effectively, as his political clout remained unshaken even in detention.
Despite widespread calls for his release from international human rights organizations, the Pakistani military, which has historically wielded significant influence over the country’s political landscape, tightened its grip. The military's control over the election process became evident when weeks of electoral rigging, manipulation of voting data, and even instances of voter intimidation were reported across key constituencies.
The culmination of this manipulation came in the form of a newly formed coalition government, which was heavily backed by the military. Khan’s calls for justice and a recount were ignored, and the democratic will of the people seemed to be disregarded entirely. As the military-backed coalition government took its place in power, Pakistan’s fragile democracy teetered on the brink of collapse. This period represented not just a setback for democracy, but a dire warning about the deepening authoritarian drift in Pakistan, leaving citizens and international observers alike questioning the future of the country’s political landscape.
Europe: The Tug-of-War Between Progress and Populism
Europe in 2024 was a battlefield of ideologies. In France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally made historic gains in parliament, exploiting public dissatisfaction with Emmanuel Macron’s handling of immigration and economic reforms. Macron’s attempt to balance liberal values with hardline policies, encapsulated in his speech at the Sorbonne, fell flat among progressive circles.
The United Kingdom, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, faced its own challenges. Starmer’s efforts to repair the economic fallout of Brexit were met with resistance from a Conservative Party emboldened by nationalist rhetoric. Amid these tensions, Europe’s dependence on Russian energy remained a critical issue. While sanctions against Moscow continued, Vladimir Putin’s government leveraged global energy markets to retain influence, making 2025 a critical year for EU unity.
The Global Rise of Neo-Fascism
2024 marked a chilling resurgence of authoritarianism masked as populism. In India, Narendra Modi’s government doubled down on its Hindu nationalist agenda, with Modi defending the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act in a fiery Independence Day speech. He declared, “India will be a land of Hindus and harmony,” a statement that drew sharp domestic and international criticism. In Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan secured another term through an election marred by media censorship and opposition arrests. The increasing prevalence of neo-fascist ideologies threatens to dismantle democratic structures, as the world grapples with an ideological battle between progressivism and authoritarianism.
Elections and Power Shifts Across the World
2024 witnessed significant electoral shifts around the world, reflecting the growing political divides in various regions. In Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum became the country’s first female president, with a progressive agenda that promised sweeping reforms in social justice and climate action, though her centralizing tendencies were met with criticism. In Argentina, libertarian Javier Milei’s victory marked a sharp turn towards radical economic policies, including a focus on drastic cuts to public spending. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria’s elections were marred by voter suppression and violence, while South Africa’s ruling ANC faced unprecedented opposition, signaling political shifts across the region.
These elections showcased the increasing polarisation of politics worldwide, as voters increasingly turned to extreme solutions in response to deepening political dissatisfaction.
Climate and Politics: The Year the Earth Struck Back
Climate change in 2024 reached unprecedented levels, with extreme weather events and environmental disasters becoming more frequent and severe. The year saw catastrophic floods in Florida, devastating wildfires in California, and prolonged heatwaves across Europe. At COP29 in Baku, world leaders failed to reach a meaningful agreement on climate reparations, with wealthy nations resisting calls to provide financial support to those most affected by climate change.
This inability to take decisive action only deepened the global divide, as poorer nations, particularly in Africa and the Global South, continued to bear the brunt of climate-induced migration and natural disasters. The intersection of environmental and political crises also became more evident, with the global migration crisis intensifying as climate refugees sought sanctuary in already strained regions.
Predictions for 2025
As we look ahead to 2025, several key trends are likely to shape global politics.
In the United States, legislative gridlock is expected to persist, with Republicans and Democrats clashing over issues like reproductive rights, AI governance, and climate policy.
In Pakistan, political instability will remain a significant challenge, though grassroots movements may begin to gain traction.
In Europe, immigration policy will continue to dominate political discourse, with countries like France, Italy, and Hungary at the forefront of the debate. The EU’s response to Russian aggression will be crucial, as tensions between Russia and the West remain high.
In the Middle East, economic diversification will advance, but geopolitical hotspots like Israel-occupied Palestinian territories will remain volatile, with little hope for peace in the near future.
The U.S.-China rivalry will continue to define global power dynamics, with both nations vying for influence across Asia and beyond.
Meanwhile, climate action will be a defining issue of 2025, as the world faces the reality of a rapidly changing planet and the need for urgent, transformative policy decisions.
A Year in Review
In conclusion, 2024 has been a year marked by profound changes in global politics, with old alliances weakening and new power dynamics emerging. From the rise of neo-fascism in democracies once seen as stable to the deepening inequalities driven by climate change, the world finds itself at a critical juncture. The resurgence of authoritarianism, the fracturing of political systems, and the rise of extremism suggest that we are on the edge of a major transformation. As leaders worldwide continue to exploit populist sentiments, the question remains whether democracy and peace can endure these turbulent times. The battle lines are drawn, but one thing is clear: 2025 will be a make-or-break year for the future of global politics, with profound implications for generations to come. Will the world choose the path of collaboration and renewal, or will it descend further into chaos and conflict?
Only time will tell.
Photo Credit:
[Trump]- Gage Skidmore, Flickr
[Putin]- www.kremlin.ru.
[Netanyahu]- Wikimedia Commons
[Sheinbaum]- Eneas De Troya, Flickr
[Macron]- EU, 2024
[al-Assad]- www.kremlin.ru.
[bin Salman]- Wikimedia Commons
[Khan]- Flickr
[Le Pen]- EU Parliament, Flickr
[Starmer]- Number 10, Flickr
[Modi]- Public Domain
[Erdoğan]- Wikimedia Commons
[Milei]-Wikimedia Commons
[Harris]-Gage Skidmore, Flickr
[Biden]-Gage Skidmore, Flickr
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