At times, the ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges can be frightening. We, the average Joe, are used to routine: work and pay bills until change happens, either willingly or under forced circumstances. One may have everything one day, only to lose it all the next. The blow can be related to health, money, or housing; the list is extensive. Politics, natural catastrophes, wars and conflicts, election results, and trade disputes are just a few examples of how events can impact people's lives. Who cares? Some segments are driven more by brands and appearances than by everyday issues faced by average people. Other sectors choose to entertain individuals with less pressing issues while pulling strings and making decisions on behalf of society. Following the events in Syria, we have observed twitchiness among regional leaders. In the past, we have seen the downfall of regional strongmen, some of whom remain questionable, such as Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Muammar al Gaddafi of Libya, among others. Even showing solidarity among global and regional leaders can backfire if events unfold differently. There is a steely silence in the air. The already precarious situation in the Middle East has escalated due to mounting popular resentment, stemming not just from political but also economic and social issues. Frayed state-citizen ties, unemployment, cronyism, corruption, and poor-quality public services are all reasons for dissatisfaction. Leaders, like gigantic wheels, are up one moment and down the next; the same holds in politics. The love for power is greater than the love for humanity. Otherwise, we would not see bombs aimed at populations, destroying infrastructure and the environment. We have watched the region become a hotbed for mercenary fighters. They engage in politics, foreign affairs, and terrorism. We have also seen weaponry trade, with the United States at the forefront of international exports, followed by Russia, France, China, and Germany—while thousands of people die every day from hunger driven by violence. Further multifaceted geopolitics are emerging, with populations increasingly vulnerable. Meanwhile, political players are tailoring their goals. One example is China's massive investment in infrastructure development around the world. China has become the world’s largest official debt collector. Aid Data reports that 80 per cent of China's overseas lending goes to countries in financial difficulties. Roughly 30 countries owe China billions of dollars. The borrowing strategy could be a trap or a new form of colonisation, with various countries struggling to make payments. Russia, Argentina, Venezuela, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Brazil, Iran, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Egypt, and the Sultanate of Oman are among the countries with billions of dollars in debt under this progressive loan arrangement. Levels of discrimination based on race, nationality, religion, wealth, and social status are growing. The most damaging is state-sponsored discrimination. For 366 days this year, I observed an increase in animosity and disregard for people’s wellbeing. The assassination of an executive from a healthcare insurance firm in the United States has sparked a burst of anger against healthcare elitism, which undermines social justice—just the tip of the iceberg. The world will keep changing. There have always been and will always be wars. People will continue to adapt to ever-increasing challenges and new types of expansionism. The region's geopolitics will become more fragmented, though there is potential for economic growth in the Arabian Peninsula. People are no longer surprised by the hollow narratives of power. Individuals are no longer represented in the global arena except to pay for the excesses of a few actors. We are pawns, but we are able to navigate through the unexpected twists and turns in life. The year 2024 ends as it began, with bizarre events. Yet, we can always keep an optimistic attitude. Season’s greetings and a successful 2025.
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