2025 is likely to be remembered as the year the post–Cold War order finally collapsed. From Donald Trump’s return to the White House and his America First diplomacy to the erosion of liberal institutions, trade realignment and the retreat of woke ideology, the foundations of a multipolar world have decisively taken shape.
Russia’s claim that Ukraine attempted a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence has cast a shadow over fragile peace talks just as negotiations appeared to be nearing a breakthrough. While Kyiv denies the allegation and Washington urges caution, the incident risks hardening positions in Moscow and derailing momentum towards a settlement.
The average US gallon of gas costs under $3, the Dow Jones is up 13.5 per cent YTD despite April’s 13 per cent drop amidst the tariff frenzy, and JD Vance seems set for the 2028 Republican nomination. Yet the government shut down for 43 days, letting Democrats win NJ and VA gubernatorial races: here are the second Trump admin’s biggest Ws and Ls for 2025!
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is riding an extraordinary wave, securing its first Scottish council seat and overtaking Labour to become Britain’s largest party by membership. The developments, both hailed as historic moments, underscores the accelerating collapse of the UK’s traditional two-party system.
A major new survey shows Europeans overwhelmingly agree with Donald Trump’s claim that their leaders are ‘weak’, with voters in Germany, France and the UK rating the US president as far stronger and more decisive than their own heads of government—undercutting Brussels’ furious response to Trump’s remarks.
‘Learning, the moral and intellectual basis of human life, must be readapted and reopened to the world of value and inspiration. Education must once again become Bildung.’
‘We are not lovers of liberty in any pure sense whatsoever. The Covid pandemic revealed that we are a nation of tutters, conformists, and curtain twitchers…’
US Vice President JD Vance blasted Brussels for targeting Elon Musk’s X platform, urging the EU to defend free speech instead of ‘attacking American companies over garbage’. His remarks follow reports that the European Commission is preparing a major DSA fine against X—just as tensions with Washington escalate over Ukraine and trade.
Global leaders met in Belém, Brazil, for COP30, seeking progress on climate action despite geopolitical tensions. Brazil’s proposed ‘Global Mutirão’ aimed to unite countries on fossil-fuel transition and climate finance, but negotiations yielded only partial breakthroughs, revealing deep divides over energy, funding, and trade measures.
What role do women play in UAE politics? What is the geopolitical significance of the UAE? And why is Hungary an important partner for the Emirates? We spoke with a female member of the UAE Federal National Council and Chairwoman of the UAE–Hungary Friendship Committee about gender equality, diplomacy, and geopolitics.