2024 has been nothing short of a whirlwind year—marked by wars, political upheavals, and unexpected turns that have left the world reeling. The war in Ukraine, now in its third year, remains a flashpoint for international instability. At the same time, the Middle East turned into a hotbed of volatility amid fresh tensions between Iran and Israel. Power struggles, strategic realignments, and pivotal political events have reshaped the global geopolitical landscape.
1,000 Days and Counting: Russia-Ukraine War Keeps World on Edge
The war between Russia and Ukraine completed 1,000 days in 2024, with no clear end in sight. Russian President Vladimir Putin resorted to nuclear brinkmanship on multiple occasions this year, indicating that he is not willing to cede ground despite growing fatigue within the Russian military.
Throughout the conflict, global political discourse has been heavily shaped, particularly around NATO, European security, and the influence of world powers. The war remained a central topic in global discussions, amassing over 5.25 million media mentions and 150.4 million social media posts.
Citing intelligence and undisclosed sources, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that nearly one million Ukrainians and Russians have been killed or wounded since the war began in 2022. The majority of the casualties are soldiers on both sides, with Ukrainian civilians following closely behind.
Government data also revealed that in the first half of 2024, the number of deaths in Ukraine was three times greater than the number of births, as reported by the WSJ.
As the standoff persists, it continues to spark critical debates about the future of the region, Europe’s involvement, and the broader global security framework. Despite Ukraine’s counter-offensives and the US authorising long-range strikes against Russia, the war has fueled ongoing instability, disrupting global markets, energy supplies and security structures.
Bangladesh’s Controversial Election: Hasina’s Ouster and the Unrest
On August 5, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shocked the nation by resigning and fleeing to India as student protests demanding her ouster escalated. Hasina, criticised for her autocratic rule and suppression of dissent, had returned to power in a disputed January election. However, student protests over a controversial quota system intensified, leading to violent clashes in July, with several students killed.
In the face of mounting pressure, Hasina fled, and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was installed as interim head. However, this transition quickly spiralled into chaos. Along with opposition activists, hardline Islamists and criminals were released, plunging the country into anarchy. Amid rising violence, inflation, and minority persecution, the interim government faces growing pressure, with the murder of a Muslim lawyer and the arrest of a Hindu monk fueling tensions.
The rising attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, raised alarm bells in neighbouring India as well with the PM Modi government cautioning Dhaka about the escalating communal violence.
Iran Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Israel
On April 14, Iran launched a barrage of over 300 drones and missiles at Israel, marking its first direct attack on the country. The strikes were in retaliation for the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi at the Iranian embassy in Syria on April 1. This represented a departure from Iran’s traditional use of proxy groups, escalating tensions to unprecedented levels.
Later, on October 1, Iran again launched as many as 200 missiles towards Tel Aviv and Israeli military bases in response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others. This attack was even larger than the April strikes. This prompted an angry response from Israel later in the month, with Jerusalem striking military targets inside Iran on October 26. The tensions between Iran and Israel sparked widespread global uncertainty and raised fears of a possible world war.
US was also concerned about the possibility of PM Benjamin Netanyahu approving missile strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. Though Israel avoided targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, it warned Tehran that it won't hold back if it strikes again.
Iran-Israel Conflict Reignites with Retaliatory Strikes
The long-standing enmity between Iran and Israel flared anew as Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli targets on October 1. This direct attack—only the second in history by Iran against Israel—came after the deaths of key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders in Israeli airstrikes.
Iran targeted Israel’s missile manufacturing sites in response to the killing of senior Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Brig. Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan, and Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in separate incidents. Nasrallah and Nilforoushan were killed on September 27 when Israeli airstrikes hit a building in Beirut, while Haniyeh lost his life in an explosion at a Tehran compound on July 31.
The escalation follows months of tit-for-tat attacks, including an Iranian drone and missile assault on Israel in April.
Chaos in Lebanon: Explosions Claim 32 Lives, Injure Thousands
A wave of deadly explosions linked to Hezbollah's communication devices has plunged Lebanon into further turmoil. At least 32 people, including two children, were killed, and thousands injured in blasts that rocked the nation on Tuesday and Wednesday. The devastation intensified when walkie-talkies detonated during a funeral gathering, leaving hospitals overwhelmed and deepening societal unease.
These tragic events followed a similar attack targeting Hezbollah's pagers just a day earlier. According to unnamed US and Israeli officials cited by Axios, these coordinated explosions were initially planned as the opening salvo of an “all-out” offensive against Hezbollah. However, fears of an intelligence leak prompted the devices to be detonated prematurely, escalating tensions in an already volatile region.
High-Profile Assassinations Shake Middle-East
A day after Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur was killed in Beirut, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran by an Israeli airstrike. The strike followed Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and a Hezbollah attack in the Golan Heights that killed a dozen children.
In late September, Israel carried out a massive strike in Beirut, killing Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah. Nasrallah was a pivotal figure, shaping Hezbollah’s identity and strategy for decades.
Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks, was killed by Israel’s 828th Bislamach Brigade in Rafah on October 16. His death is considered a major victory for Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasising the importance of dismantling Hamas leadership.
In all, Israel eliminated most of Hamas top leaders who were involved in the 2023 ground invasion.
Syria’s Turning Point: The Fall of Assad’s Regime
In December 2024, Syria’s brutal civil war reached a surprising turning point. Anti-government rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, stormed Damascus, toppling President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after nearly five decades of Baath Party rule. This momentous event marked the fall of one of the Middle East’s longest-standing autocratic regimes. The collapse of Assad’s government sent shockwaves through the region, raising questions about Syria’s future and the broader geopolitical consequences of a power vacuum.
India-Canada Relations Hit New Lows
Diplomatic ties between India and Canada touched new lows in 2024 after the Justin Trudeau's administration doubled down on allegations that New Delhi was involved in the killings of Khalistani extremists in the country.
In October, India expelled Canadian envoys the Trudeau government identified Indian envoys as "persons of interest" in the probe into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This move proved to be the tipping point in the already fraught ties between the two countries.
In a hard-hitting statement, the ministry of external affairs outlined a series of actions by Trudeau which clearly point to his government's "anti-India separatist agenda".
India has also repeatedly denied Canada's claims of New Delhi's involvement in the targeting of Sikh separatists. It has accused Canada of providing “space to violent extremists” and misusing “freedom of speech” to justify threats against Indian leaders..
South Korea’s Political Earthquake: Impeachment and Martial Law
December 2024 saw South Korea in the grip of a political crisis as President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to impose martial law led to massive protests and his eventual impeachment on December 14. Yoon’s downfall represented a significant moment for South Korea’s democracy, raising crucial questions about the nation’s political future and its handling of dissent.
Rising Tensions: US Airstrikes in Iraq and Syria
The conflict between the US and Iranian-backed militias in the Middle East escalated in 2024, as the United States launched airstrikes against targets in Iraq and Syria in response to a deadly drone attack on a US military base. The airstrikes marked a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the fragile security situation in the region. The strike raised questions about the role of foreign intervention in the Middle East, as tensions between the US and Iran continued to simmer, and instability threatened the broader region. With no end in sight, the situation remains volatile, and the stakes for both regional and global security are higher than ever.
A Glimmer of Hope: The UN Ceasefire Resolution on Gaza
In the face of escalating violence between Israel and Palestine, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution on March 25, 2024, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas. This fragile moment of diplomacy provided a brief glimmer of hope for peace in a region long entrenched in conflict. The ceasefire resolution, while welcomed by many, is a reminder that the road to reconciliation is fraught with challenges. As the violence between Israel and Hamas continued to claim lives, the international community’s attention remained fixed on Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis deepened and the need for a lasting peace seemed more urgent than ever.
Moscow in Shock: A Deadly Terrorist Attack
On March 22, 2024, Moscow was rocked by a deadly gun attack on Crocus City Hall. Four gunmen, affiliated with ISIS-K, targeted the venue, killing 145 people and injuring more than 500. Initially, the Russian government blamed Ukraine and the West, but ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack, highlighting the rising threat of extremist violence in the region. This terrorist assault forced Russia to confront not only the rise of Islamic extremism but also its own security vulnerabilities. The attack sent ripples of fear throughout Russia, underlining the fragile nature of security in the country, despite its powerful political structure.
ICC’s Bold Move Against Israeli and Hamas Leaders
In a landmark decision, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on November 21, 2024, accusing them of war crimes related to Israel’s Gaza conflict. This unprecedented move raised serious questions about international accountability and the future of Israel’s relationships with global powers.
A Martyr for Freedom: The Death of Alexei Navalny
Amid Russia’s ongoing struggle for democracy, the world mourned the death of Alexei Navalny, a leading opposition figure and anti-corruption activist. Navalny passed away on August 4, 2024, while imprisoned under harsh conditions. His death was a stark reminder of the ongoing repression in Russia and the high cost of standing up against the Kremlin’s authoritarian rule. Navalny’s death has become a powerful symbol of the struggle for freedom and democracy, inspiring a new generation of activists committed to challenging Russia’s political system. The international community condemned his death, but the Kremlin remained silent, further solidifying its image as a repressive regime.
A Rare Moment of Diplomacy: The US-Russia Prisoner Swap
In August 2024, amidst soaring geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Russia, a rare moment of diplomacy emerged. The two nations carried out an unprecedented prisoner swap, releasing 26 individuals, including Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, at Ankara Esenboğa Airport in Turkey. This event marked a glimmer of hope in an otherwise fraught relationship, serving as a reminder that even in the most strained times, diplomacy can still find a way. While it did not resolve the broader geopolitical challenges between the two powers, the prisoner swap offered a brief moment of cooperation that transcended political tensions.
The UK’s Dangerous Proximity to Russia
Amidst the chaos of the year, the United Kingdom faced increasing challenges from Russia. The Kremlin launched cyberattacks against British infrastructure, and the government heightened its defence readiness in response. With rising tension in Europe due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Britain found itself at the forefront of the West’s efforts to contain Russian aggression. As the UK faces growing threats on multiple fronts, the question remains: how will it balance the need for security with the imperative for diplomatic solutions?
As we move into 2025, the geopolitical landscape remains unpredictable, with tensions continuing to simmer across key regions. While some conflicts show signs of resolution, others are set to intensify, shaping the future of global politics and security.
Battles Beyond the Middle East & Europe
Elsewhere, global conflicts have continued to wreak havoc. In Sudan, the civil war has left the country in a severe humanitarian crisis, ongoing for 18 months. In Mexico, violent clashes between rival drug cartels have resulted in over a thousand deaths and disappearances within just a few months. Meanwhile, Myanmar's civil war persists into its fourth year, continuing to destabilise the region.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
