Seven issues in the 2015 world picture
9/1/15
The world will have to confront with
many problems in the new coming year, and here are seven issues that could
affect and change the international arena in 2015:
1. The West - Russia conflicts and Threat of a
potential new cold war
In the beginning
of March 2014, tensions began flaring between NATO and Russia as Russian troops moved into Crimea to annex the
territory that they claim is historically Russian. NATO condemned Russia's actions as a violation of Ukraine's
sovereignty.[35]
Co-operation with Russia
was suspended on May the 1st.
A widening rift
between Moscow and Washington over cruise missiles and
increasingly daring patrols by nuclear-capable Russian submarines threatens to
end an era of arms control and bring back a dangerous rivalry between the
world’s two dominant nuclear arsenals.
2. Failing oil prices: Who are the winners and losers?
Global oil prices
have fallen sharply over the past seven months, leading to significant revenue
shortfalls in many energy exporting nations, while consumers in many importing
countries are likely to have to pay less to heat their homes or drive their
cars.
From 2010 until mid-2014, world oil
prices had been fairly stable, at around $110 a barrel. But since June prices
have more than halved. Brent crude
oil has now dipped below $50 a barrel for the
first time since May 2009 and US crude
has also fallen below $50 a barrel.
The reasons for this change are twofold
- weak demand in many countries due to insipid economic growth, coupled with
surging US
production. Added to this is the fact that the oil cartel Opec is determined not to cut production
as a way to prop up prices.
So who are some of the winners and
losers?
3.
The China – Russia Alliance
It is becoming more and more apparent
that the newly formed alliance between Russia
and China
has been formed in order to fight the U.S./EU alliance. The conflict that Washington
has initiated between the West and Russia/China is reckless and irresponsible.
Nuclear war could be the outcome.
The Russian and Chinese governments both
understand that their existence is threatened by Washington’s hegemonic ambitions.
Larchmonter reports that in order to defeat Washington’s plans to marginalize both
countries, the Russian and Chinese governments have decided to unify their
economies into one and to conjoin their military commands. Henceforth, Russia and China move together on the economic
and military fronts.
4.
Prospects of Iran
nuclear programs
In their last round of talks, Iran and the P5+1 countries - Russia, China,
Britain, the US, France
plus Germany - wrapped up a
week of intense closed-door nuclear negotiations in Vienna on November 24. The talks aimed to
tackle the remaining obstacles that exist in the way of reaching a final
agreement.
At the end of the talks, the two sides
decided to extend their discussions for seven more months. They also agreed
that the interim deal they had signed in the Swiss city of Geneva last November remain in place during
the remainder of the negotiations until July 1, 2015.
5.
Threats of terrorism
In 2014, we saw the threat of al Qaeda
continue to spread via affiliate groups in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. We also witnessed the unexpected
resurgence of ISIS in Syria
and Iraq.
According to global risk firm Verisk Maplecroft, terrorism-related deaths
worldwide increased by almost 25% between Nov 1, 2013, and Oct 31, 2014. What's in store for
2015?
6.
International negotiations toward a 2015 climate agreement
Nations are working toward a new global
climate change agreement, to be reached in late 2015 in Paris. These international negotiations
offer governments a critical opportunity to craft a broad, balanced and durable
agreement strengthening the international climate effort.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21 or CMP11 will
be held in Paris,
France
in 2015. The international climate conference will be held at the Le Bourget
site from 30 November to 11 December 2015.[1]
This will be the 21st yearly session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21)
to the 1992 United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 11th
session of the Meeting of the Parties (CMP 11) to the 1997 Kyoto
Protocol.[2]
The conference objective is to achieve a legally
binding and universal agreement on climate, from all the nations of
the world.
7.
Ebola
As of 3 January 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) and
respective governments have reported a total of 21,097 suspected cases and
8,293 deaths,[5][6][20]
though the WHO believes that this substantially understates the magnitude of
the outbreak.
All comments [ 10 ]
I don't think the West and U.S. will continue their confrontations with Russia for long, they will consider their interests and change soon.
I believe Russia will take lead in the fight with the West and U.S.. The winter is coming and Russia's strongpoint will take effect dispite of oil prices decrease and let see!
New Year is coming! Wish the world all the best. Everybody's happy, healthy and wealthy!
In order to defeat Washington’s plans to marginalize both countries, the Russian and Chinese governments have decided to unify their economies into one and to conjoin their military commands.
The world must make U.S. and China and other developed countries to commit to a pact that help reduce the emission and save the human.
I think Hilary will be the next U.S. president and would make the world change a lot.
Human should review how they treat to environment, how they change the atmosphere and how they exploit natural resources, if not, they will counter not just ebola but many other epidemics in the future.
I totally agree with you, people are paying for what they have done. Be alert and help to protect environment.
Terrorism has become a big general threat to the world, especially after Paris shootings and the growing strength of IS.
The world must unite and stand together to cope with terrorism and extremism, before they become stronger.
Your comments