1. Trade wars, US-China tensions continue
 Photo: Investor Business Daily |
The US has set limits on China’s investment in the US’s technology sectors, blacklisted China's Huawei Technologies Co., and tightened technology policies and the management of overseas students. China has retaliated by limiting imports of US agricultural products and the supply of rare earth, and devaluing the Yuan. The US-China trade war has hurt their economies as well as the global economy.
The political crisis in Hong Kong (China) began with protests against a new Extradition Law. Large-scale protests, particularly of young people, have caused severe disorder since March. Hong Kong police have arrested hundreds of protesters. The US passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 and a companion bill restricting the export of crowd control devices to the Hong Kong police. US-China political, diplomatic, and economic relations have been tense.
2. Complications on the Korean peninsula
 The 2nd USA-DPRK summit of the DPRK leader and US President in Hanoi. |
The 2nd USA-DPRK summit in Hanoi and a summit at the inter Korean border village of Panmunjom failed to achieve any progress. The Inter-Korean relations are frozen. The DPRK has conducted many weapons tests, including ballistic missiles. US President Donald Trump has warned the DPRK of a possible military response.
3. China’s serious violation of international law, bold activities in the East Sea
 A Chinese Coast Guard vessel |
Pursuing its 9-dash-line scheme in the East Sea, China has built a new city called Sansha and militarized artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago. China’s HD 8 vessel has violated Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The international community has strongly condemned China’s actions. Conferences and forums have discussed China’s violations in the East Sea and called on China to respect the international laws and sovereignty of other countries.
4. Russia overcomes obstacles to multi-faceted development
 Russian President Vladimir Putin |
Despite sanctions by the US and the West, Russia has progressed in many areas. Russia’s GDP this year grew 1.3% and is expected to grow 2% in 2020 and 3.3% in 2024 to make it the world’s 5th biggest economy. Russia has played an increasingly important role in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Russia is implementing its North Stream 2 pipeline project worth over 11 billion USD, connecting Russia and Germany.
5. Impeachment of the US President
President Donald Trump is accused of freezing an aid package to Ukraine to pressure President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to open investigations into Trump’s main rival for the 2020 presidential race, former Vice President Joe Biden. Trump is still involved in investigations into Russian meddling during the 2016 presidential race.
6. Arab-Israeli disputes escalate
 photo: Slideshare |
President Donald Trump’s controversial policies have stalled the Middle East peace process. The US moved its embassy to Jerusalem and recognized the legality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The moves have heightened tensions in the Middle East and deepened divisions between the Arab community and Israel. Arabian countries and other countries, including US allies, have criticized the US.
7. Brexit delays, British political instability
 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson |
Britain’s exit from the European Union could not take place on October 31st, 2019 as scheduled. Internal disagreements forced Prime Minister Theresa May to resign to give power to the Conservatives of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who then won the general election on December 12. The issue of Northern Ireland’s “hard border” remains the biggest obstacle to Brexit. The EU has agreed to extend the Brexit deadline to January 31, 2020.
8. Serious political crisis in Latin America
In Venezuela, Parliament leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself President and called for a military uprising against President Nicolas Maduro on April 30. A day later, President Maduro said the scheme to oust him had failed.
 Bolivia’s President Evo Morales |
Bolivia’s President Evo Morales was forced to resign under pressure from the army and the Organization of American States and charges of voting fraud. Jeanine Anez Chavez, Bolivia's Senate leader, declared herself interim president of Bolivia. Bolivia's political crisis turned deadly when security forces clashed with Morales’s supporters. Bolivia's Congress has approved new elections.
9. Global climate change alerts
 Forest fires in Australia (photo: Sky News) |
Extreme weather phenomena were recorded around the globe: unusual heat waves in Europe, unprecedented forest fires in South America and Australia, historic floods in Sri Lanka and Congo, severe snow storms in the US, severe drought at Victoria waterfall. At the 25th UN Global Climate Change Conference in Spain in December, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said climate change is threatening human civilization and the world has to act before it’s too late.
10. Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris fire
The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, one of France's most famous landmarks, was devastated by a fierce fire on April 15. The 850-year-old Gothic building’s spire and roof have collapsed but the main structure, including the two bell towers, was saved. The rebuilding could take decades and cost billions of euros. The fire damaged not only a symbol of France but also French tourism, which was already hurt by “yellow vest” protests and pollution.