1. Political crisis in Ukraine leads to Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
President Petro Poroshenko said Ukraine needs a new guarantee of security. Ukrainian parliament voted to abandon the country's non-aligned status on Dec 23, 2014. (Photo:AFP)
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The coup toppling Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich in February and the new government’s pro-western stance triggered a backlash from pro-Russia Ukrainians. Residents of the Crimean peninsula organized a referendum in March to separate from Ukraine and merge with Russia. The annexation triggered independence movements in other regions of eastern Ukraine. A prolonged conflict since then has killed at least 4,300 people and forced 1 million people to flee their homes.
2. Relations between Russia and the US and the West are at their worst since the end of the Cold War.
Following the annexation of Crimea by Russia, the US and other Western countries accused Russia of interfering in Ukraine. They have imposed sanctions on Russia restricting oil and gas, financial, and arms transactions and banning visas for several Russian and Ukrainian officials. Russia has banned the import of farm and dairy products from the US and the EU.
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| US, EU and Ukraine leaders at a discussion in Wales, Britain on September 4 (Photo: Reuters) |
3. Territorial disputes in the East Sea and East China Sea escalated.
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| Chinese ships used water cannons to attack Vietnam Fisheries Resources Surveillance Force ship |
The East Sea situation has been complicated by China’s provocative actions including illegally placing an oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone, expanding occupied areas in Truong Sa, and passing laws and regulations to support its illegal activities in the East Sea. The international community has denounced China’s activities. China and Japan’s dispute in the East China Sea escalated when China began deploying ships and aircraft to the area. ASEAN’s Foreign Ministers issued a joint statement on the East Sea situation and the US House of Representatives, for the first time in history, adopted a resolution on the East Sea and East China Sea. The International Court of Arbitration has agreed to hear the Philippines’ proceedings against China over disputed East Sea maritime claims.
4. The US and Cuba resume diplomatic ties after 53 years.
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| US President Barack Obama shakes hands with Cuban President Raul Castro at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in South Africa on Dec 10. (photo: news.yahoo.com) |
President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced on December 17, 2014 they would resume relations after more than half a century of diplomatic interruption and economic sanctions. The US is considering re-opening its Embassy in Havana, removing Cuba from its “State Sponsor of Terrorism” list, easing its travel ban, and financial restraints, and allowing US businesses to invest in Cuba.
5. The international community deeply concerned over the rise of the extremist Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East.
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| The US-led coalition has blocked the IS’s moves in Iraq and Syria (Photo: rt.com) |
The world is facing the Islamic State, a new terrorist organization more barbaric and cruel than Al Qaeda. With strong financial backing, the IS has steadily increased its poor, seized a growing territory in Iraq and Syria, and killed many civilians and hostages. The US and its allies have conducted hundreds of air strikes but have failed to stamp out IS.
6. World oil prices fall 45%.
World oil prices have halved to around 60 USD per barrel in the final months of 2014. The IMF said the oil price reduction will create momentum for the global economy to grow 3.3% this year and 3.8% next year. The IMF noted that the trend will have double effects on oil and gas exporting countries and impact global geopolitics.
7. Some European territories pursue independence.
4 million Scots voted in an independence referendum in September. More than 80% of the people in Spain's autonomous Catalonia region supported full independence in a vote in November. Although the vote for Scotland’s independence was less than 45% and the poll in Catalonia was considered unofficial, the independence movement has created political waves, forcing the central government to make concessions. The trend has threatened security and prosperity.
8. China pushes ahead the fight against corruption
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| Zhou Yongkang, standing member of the Chinese Politburo was arrested and expelled from the Chinese Communist Party for charges of corruption |
China’s anti-corruption campaign has entered its third year. 50 high-ranking officials and thousands of lesser officials have been arrested. Worthy of note are the arrest and expulsion from the Chinese Communist Party of Zhou Yongkang, a standing member of the Chinese Politburo, and Xu Caihou, former Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Party Commission.
9. The world’s aviation and maritime sectors marked by tragedies.
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| Malaysian plane MH17 crash site. Photo: AP |
The world mourned the victims of a number of tragic air and sea disasters in 2014 including the disappearance of Malaysia Airline flight MH370 with 239 passengers aboard, the shooting down of Malaysia Airline flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine killing all 298 passengers, the crash of an Algerian airplane carrying 100 passengers from Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, to Algiers, and the Sewol ferry sinking in South Korea.
10. Ebola epidemic rages on the largest scale ever in modern history.
Appearing in several West African nations, the deadly Ebola virus spread to other countries. The WHO says Ebola has infected 18,000 people, 7,000 of whom have died. The organization announced a global emergency in August. The international community has concentrated resources to cope with Ebola including testing, vaccines and medicines, and support for infected countries.
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| The WHO said the number of Ebola infections is likely to decrease by next year. |