Islamic State fighters take part in a military parade along the streets of northern Raqqa province, June 30, 2014. Credit: REUTERS/Stringer
Reuters: After turbulent 2014, next year may be no calmer
My Comment: Here are my predictions on what will be the major flashpoints for 2015 .... Russia/Ukraine coupled with a even greater worsening in ties between the West and Russia, the war against the Islamic State and the ongoing civil war in Syria, the continuing rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, another financial crisis brought on by too much debt and crashing oil prices, China's economy, Libya, Europe being flooded by refugees from Africa and the Middle East, and .... international terrorism ... including (my biggest fear) a major and significant terror strike in Europe and/or in the U.S..
8 comments:
I don't know WNU, with the Afghan war over and the world as peaceful as it ever has been I don't see a lot to choose from. But I'll hazard a guess or two. Sub Sahara West Africa and Central Asian ex-Soviet Republics, lands of opportunity for the religion of peace (oh, a special mention of Morocco)!
Southeast Asia and China in naval affairs.
Collapse of several South American nations.
The reassertion of a major Russian presence in the North Pacific.
Quebec adopting Russian as it's national tongue.
Collapse of Canadian vinyard operations due unexpected success of Ukranian wine the box sales.
I am trying to convince the Canadian and Quebec governments to let in 5,000,000 Russian immigrants into Quebec .... preferably blond and female between the ages of 21 and 32. There has been some interest .... but for reasons that I do not understand .... the women in charge of Canadian immigration are not "warm" to the idea. My GF has (disappointingly in my book) also not supportive.
I do not share you confidence that Canadian wine operations may be impacted by Ukrainian wine box sales. According to my well placed sources .... Ukrainian wine exports will not be permitted because of overwhelming domestic demand.
Heh, Heh, HEH! Why I could even have a good time playing golf now after reading this!
"I am trying to convince the Canadian and Quebec governments to let in 5,000,000 Russian immigrants into Quebec .... preferably blond and female between the ages of 21 and 32"
Of course you're going to selflessly offer yourself as a sponsor.
WNU I would add the rise of the Taliban in Pakistan as well. For every degree that Afghanistan further destabilizes, it will enable greater and greater support for insurgent attacks on the Pakistan side of the border...
Essentially the reverse of the insurgent attack networks during the US occupation.
Beijing's move to bail out Russia, on top of its recent aid for Venezuela and Argentina
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/12/chinas_russia_bailout_is_an_om.html
A one time shot in the buys you time. I do not see Maduro or Kirchner being smart enough or less dogmatic enough to turn their economies around.
I expect them to go populist, strident & shrill.
I expect Venezuela to fail if oil prices stay low throughout the year. Can China bail out Venezuela again?
With low oil prices things should get better for Argentina. If it does not it shows Kirchner is a complete fool.
The Republicans funded the government for all of FY2015. If there is a major terrorist attack on the U.S. it will not be because of the Republicans or the budget. Obama will still go there.
WNU,
Speaking of the fruit of the grape, haven't you been to California lately?
http://nypost.com/2014/12/31/300k-in-wine-stolen-from-famed-napa-valley-restaurant/
Damn .... I've been busted. :(
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