A World on Edge: 20 Major Predictions for 2025
Our journalists took a peek into the future and envisioned a world shaped by the war in Ukraine, shifting geopolitical alliances, and the rise of populism. Read on to discover what the year 2025 might hold.
The War in Ukraine: A Pervasive Global Conflict
The war in Ukraine continues to reshape the world, extending far beyond its battlefields. From Africa to East Asia, its ripple effects are felt as it propels a global power struggle.
A bloc of Western nations led by the U.S. and NATO supports Ukraine in this conflict, facing off against a growing coalition of non-Western states spearheaded by China and Russia. This new world order is challenging global institutions like NATO, the EU, the UN, and even the International Criminal Court.
Rising Tensions in Europe
Ukraine: Ending Putin’s War
At the end of 2023, Vitaliy Portnikov, a prominent Ukrainian journalist, argued that even a military victory in Ukraine wouldn’t necessarily bring peace. The war, he predicted, is part of a broader push by leader Vladimir Putin to restore Russia’s sphere of influence.
If 2025 dawns with Trump back in power, it could reshape the Ukraine conflict. Trump has hinted at a willingness to broker peace, but others worry he might appease Putin further. Either way, the conflict seems destined to remain a major global flashpoint.
Iran: A Challenging Year Ahead For Tehran
The unexpected death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024 marked a turbulent year for the nation. His successor, Masud Pezeshkian, aims to soften Iran’s hard-line approach, but faces significant challenges.
Internal economic pressures, strict EU sanctions, and renewed tensions with its regional rivals, particularly Israel, cast a long shadow over Iran’s future.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to pressure Iran to answer questions about its nuclear program, raising the possibility of renewed sanctions negotiations.
Hungary: The Rise of Peter Magyar
Rise of the populist party leader Peter Magyar. His Tisza Party shook the Hungarian political landscape, presenting a formidable challenge to the long-reigning Fidesz party led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Orban, a staunch critic of the EU and NATO, has repeatedly clashed with the bloc over democratic backsliding. Taking the presidency of the EU council in the second half of 2024, Orban’s leadership brought another layer of tension to the organization.
Belarus: Lukashenka Feels Surrounded In 2025
As hostilities in Ukraine continue, the authoritarian regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka faces increasing isolation in 2024. While Belarus continues to offer military support to Russia, the country’s ties to the West are severed, and its economy stagnates.
Lukashenka tries to secure his hold on power by tightening control over civil society and crushing dissent.