Shafaq News
2025 was a year defined by sharp
power shifts, high-stakes conflicts, and strategic maneuvering. From Donald
Trump’s return to the White House to clashes in the Middle East, tense
standoffs in Europe and Asia, and a global economy navigating protectionism and
energy volatility, the world moved decisively toward transactional politics and
pragmatic crisis management.
Across politics, science, and
culture, 2025 reflected a reality where leverage, deterrence, and adaptability
often outweighed institutional consensus.
Influence Over Alignment
The Trump administration quickly
reshaped US priorities at home and abroad. Washington formally began
withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, reactivated the Mexico City
Policy, intensified immigration enforcement, and expanded trade protectionism.
In the Middle East, Israel and Iran
clashed in a 12-day aerial and missile confrontation in June, ending with a US-
and Qatar-mediated ceasefire on June 24. By October 13, Egypt, Qatar, and
Turkiye signed a Gaza ceasefire framework with the US, focusing on phased
implementation rather than a full political settlement.
Lebanon ended a three-year
presidential vacancy when Army Commander Joseph Aoun took office on January 9.
Nawaf Salam formed a new government on February 8, prioritizing financial
reform, reconstruction, and border stability.
Syria remained volatile. A March 10
understanding between Damascus and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
aimed to integrate civilian and military institutions in the northeast, though
bombings in Damascus and Homs highlighted ongoing risks. The US lifted broad
sanctions on Syria on June 30 while keeping exceptions for terrorism, captagon,
and human rights, and removed Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) from its terrorist
list on July 7.
Europe faced political and military
turbulence. Germany’s elections on February 23 brought conservatives to the
lead, and Friedrich Merz became chancellor on May 6 after a second
parliamentary vote. On the Russia-Ukraine war, direct talks resumed in Istanbul
in May, producing the largest prisoner exchange since the conflict began.
Ceasefire efforts remained fragile, and late-year Russian missile and drone
attacks on Kyiv underscored the risks of stalled diplomacy. NATO adopted a 5%
GDP defense and security spending target on June 25.
Asia saw rising tension in the South
China Sea, and China conducted military drills near Taiwan on April 1. India
and Pakistan escalated militarily before agreeing to a May 10 US-mediated
ceasefire. At the BRICS Rio summit in July, leaders emphasized economic
sovereignty, while Israel’s recognition of Somaliland on December 26 sparked
regional and international backlash.
Resource Wars Return
On April 5, the US imposed a 10%
tariff on broad imports, signaling that trade had become a key policy tool.
Inflation stabilized around 4% mid-year, while oil prices hovered between $90
and $95 per barrel amid Red Sea and South China Sea tensions.
Debt pressures persisted in the
Global South with countries including Zambia, Egypt, and Argentina negotiating
restructuring or relief. At the G20 summit in Johannesburg, leaders debated
debt management, climate finance, and infrastructure investment amid tensions
over conditionality and China-led financing. Supply chain resilience became
central, with BRICS emphasizing reduced dependency on Western networks and
private sectors regionalizing production of semiconductors and critical
materials.
Silicon and Sovereignty
Technological innovation surged in
2025, though regulation lagged. AI expanded across finance, logistics, and
media, while limited military use highlighted dual-use risks. The UN adopted
resolutions on lethal autonomous weapons under the Conventional Weapons
framework, marking the first formal international attempt at regulation.
Semiconductors became strategic
priorities. The US invested $60 billion through CHIPS 2.0, while Europe’s EU
Chips Act aimed for a 20% global market share by 2030.
Space exploration advanced on
multiple fronts. NASA prepared the Artemis 2 manned lunar mission for April
2026, China pushed forward its Tiangong program, and private operators expanded
satellite constellations, raising concerns over congestion and dual-use
applications. Cyberattacks on energy grids in Europe and the US underscored how
technological progress intersected directly with national security.
Next-Gen Healing
CRISPR gene therapy for sickle cell
disease delivered promising trial results, and the FDA approved a CAR-T therapy
for multiple myeloma in August. AI accelerated drug discovery and
protein-folding research, speeding development of treatments for infectious and
rare diseases.
Endemic COVID-19, measles outbreaks,
and persistent malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV affected sub-Saharan Africa and
Southeast Asia. Climate-driven events—heatwaves, floods, and cyclones—worsened
heat-related, waterborne, and respiratory illnesses, prompting expanded early
warning systems and emergency response.
Research in space medicine through
Artemis 2 and Tiangong missions provided insights on bone density,
cardiovascular adaptation, and radiation exposure. At the G20 summit, leaders
emphasized pandemic preparedness, equitable vaccine access, and local production,
underlining that innovation alone cannot overcome systemic vulnerability.
Identity In Motion
Culture and society reflected a
connected but unsettled world. Literature and the arts explored migration,
identity, and climate change. The Nobel Prize in Literature highlighted
narratives of displacement, while the Venice Biennale and Documenta 16 showcased
works addressing social justice and technology. Digital platforms broadened
access but raised intellectual property concerns.
Cinema mirrored global currents,
with Cannes awarding films tackling conflict and inequality, while major
releases balanced entertainment with social commentary. Music festivals
returned fully, blending live and hybrid audiences.
Sports drew record attention. The
FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand set new viewership records,
highlighting the rise of women’s sports. Formula 1 featured intense
competition, with new talents challenging champions.
The Summer Universiade in Poland
showcased student-athletes and international solidarity.
Youth-led climate protests and
movements advocating labor, human rights, and digital privacy highlighted the
growing influence of civic activism. Arts, culture, and sports in 2025 offered
platforms for reflection, dialogue, and action amid global uncertainty.
Written and edited by Shafaq News
staff.
