(CLO) 2024 has become a challenging year, not only because of geopolitical fluctuations but also due to prolonged conflicts and rapid changes in technology.
Against this backdrop, major global events have created significant changes. Here are 10 notable events that will likely continue to have a strong impact in 2025 and beyond.
Illustration: AI
1. Donald Trump re-elected President of the United States
Donald Trump's return to the White House in 2024 is one of the biggest political events in American history. After political turmoil and scandals, Trump defeated his opponent Kamala Harris in a dramatic election.
Mr. Trump's return to the presidency marks a major change in US foreign policy, as well as reshaping the direction of US politics in the coming years.
Mr. Trump at a rally in Arizona, 2024. Photo: CC/Wiki
2. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria
A surprise uprising in Syria has ended the brutal rule of Bashar al-Assad. After 11 days, Syria's 13-year civil war ended, with President Assad fleeing in haste after rebel groups seized the capital, Damascus.
Surprisingly, the uprising has occurred without widespread violence, contrary to predictions of a bloody war. This has created strong upheavals, not only in Syria but also across the entire Middle East. Countries such as Russia, Iran, Türkiye, and Israel have faced profound changes in their strategies and influence in the region.
Syrian rebels after capturing Hama Military Airport during the Hama offensive in 2024. Photo: CC/Wiki
3. Turmoil in the Middle East
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has spread across the Middle East, causing death and destruction for thousands. Iran's attacks on Israel, along with Hezbollah's actions, have further increased tensions in the region.
In September 2024, a series of major events changed the landscape in the Middle East, especially the relationship between Israel and Iran. In Lebanon, thousands of pagers exploded in the hands of Hezbollah fighters, killing 12 and injuring more than 2,000. The attack demonstrated the depth of Israeli intelligence penetration into Hezbollah, weakening the group’s leadership and forcing them to find alternative ways to communicate. Ten days later, Israel assassinated its leader Hassan Nasrallah and launched a military campaign to destroy Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, escalating attacks between Israel and Iran in October pushed the region to the brink of all-out war. Iran attacked Israel after an Israeli airstrike killed an Iranian general. Although Israel has scored several tactical victories, its strategic goals have not been achieved. The situation in the Middle East is likely to remain tense and unpredictable.
The site of the explosion in the Tehran area in the early morning of October 26, 2024, when Israel launched airstrikes on the capital Tehran and some surrounding areas. Photo: Social Network
4. Climate change continues to increase
2024 has become the hottest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Climate change has caused many natural disasters, greatly affecting production and people's lives.
Despite efforts by countries to reduce emissions and transition to a green economy, the consequences of climate change are increasingly evident and inevitable.
5. South Korea's political crisis after martial law
On the night of December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol suddenly declared an emergency martial law, accusing the opposition of "anti-state activities and plotting rebellion".
The decision sparked a serious political crisis. Domestically, South Korea's entire cabinet was thrown into turmoil, with Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun and Interior Minister Lee Sang Min resigning. Meanwhile, the South Korean National Assembly impeached Acting President Han Duck Soo less than two weeks after suspending President Yoon Suk Yeol.
South Korea's opposition-controlled National Assembly has passed a bill to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the president and other officials. The crisis has not only weakened South Korea's political scene but also taken a heavy toll on the economy, with the stock market plummeting and strikes spreading.
Protest against martial law in 2024 in South Korea. Photo: CC/Wiki
6. The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues
The third year of the Ukraine crisis has seen a major shift in Russia’s strategy and tactics. Although Russian troops have captured large areas of territory in eastern Ukraine, the human and material losses have been enormous.
Notably, 2024 saw an unthinkable event: the Ukrainian army, after two and a half years of fighting, entered the Russian province of Kursk, launching the first major attack on Russian territory since World War II. Although Russia vowed to retaliate quickly and take back the territory, as of now, the Ukrainian army still controls part of the region.
The situation shows no signs of cooling down as the two sides continue to exchange attacks. Whether this war will continue or not is still an unanswered question.
The bridge over the Seym River in the Kursk region was destroyed by the Ukrainian military on August 16, 2024. Photo: Press Office of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
7. Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to grow rapidly
AI continues to be one of the dominant themes of 2024. Significant advances in this technology are transforming industries and scientific fields. AI is used in medicine, industry, and scientific research. However, the rapid development of AI also raises many questions about its impact on society and the global economy, as these technologies may increase the gap between rich and poor countries.
8. The Sudanese Civil War Continues
The civil war in Sudan continues to rage, with clashes between government forces and RSF militias. The humanitarian situation in Sudan is worsening, with tens of thousands dead and millions displaced. Despite numerous attempts at reconciliation, the war shows no signs of ending.
9. China's economy slows down
After a long period of rapid growth driven by exports, China’s economy is struggling. Declining exports and rising domestic demand have eroded China’s advantage. This shift, combined with the COVID pandemic, has caused China’s economy to gradually slow down.
10. The space race continues
In 2024, space continues to witness great advances in science and technology. Notable achievements include: Japan successfully landing its SLIM device on the Moon, China returning lunar soil samples to Earth, and NASA continuing its search for life on Mars.
Not all has been smooth sailing, however. Boeing's Starliner project has encountered serious technical problems, while geopolitical tensions have also made space a new arena for superpowers.
These events not only create immediate upheavals, but they can also have far-reaching effects on future global trends. As 2025 begins, we will see new changes and movements across all sectors.
Ngoc Anh (according to thecipherbrief, CFR)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/top-10-su-kien-noi-bat-tren-the-gioi-trong-nam-2024-post328181.html
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