Coups, elections, hurricanes, wildfires, wars — the year 2024 gave everyone something to talk about. This week, we’ll give a rundown of international developments. The next issue will highlight the U.S. and Indiana events of the year.
Overseas, Syria’s authoritarian dictator Basheer al-Assad’s government fell as rebel forces swiftly took over the largest cities, then stormed into Damascus. Assad fled the country to Russia, which had been an ally in the civil war that has been running since 2011. Iran also pulled out its advisors when it looked like all hope was lost.
The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia intensified, with both sides sustaining heavy losses. Russia asked for North Korean troops to fight alongside the Russian forces, but took heavy casualities.
The war beween Israelis and Palestinians intensified. The U.S. supplied missiles to Ukraine and continued to support Israel, but also sent humanitarian aid to Gaza and other Palestinian-controlled areas. Israel also attacked southern Lebanon, and Iran entered the fray, sending missiles to Israel, although U.S. Navy destroyers intercepted them. In September, dozens of Israeli-made pagers and walkie-talkies exploded, killing and injuring dozens in Beirut. The devices were targeted to Hezbollah leaders, but they also ended up killing innocents, including children. Israel then targeted strikes into Lebanon that killed nearly 500. In response, the U.S. sent more troops to the Middle East in hopes of de-escalating the situation.
In one of the oddest attempted coups ever, South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol declare martial law in December in response to what he called pro-North Korean politicians in parliament fomenting rebellion. Parliament voted to block the move. A few hours later, he rescinded the martial law order. The Korean parliament voted to impeach him.
Mexico elected its first female and first Jewish president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. She has a PhD in energy engineering, and was the head of government in Mexico City before being elected.
France’s Barnier government collapsed after a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly. President Emmanuel Macron vowed to complete his term, serving through 2027. The new Prime Minister, Francois Bayrou, is the fourth PM in France in one year.
In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz also suffered a no-confidence vote in the Bundestag. Germany is the largest economy in the European Union, and France is the second largest. Both votes were tied to budget battles that included tax raises, slashing public services, and political ideologic clashes.
Fed up with the Conservative party’s fumbling of the economy and weakening the country’s safety net, British voters chose the Labour party and new Prime Minister Keir Starmer took up residence at No. 10 Downing on July 5.
Haiti declared a state of emergency after prisoners escaped and chaos reigned on the streets of Port-au-Prince in March. Gang members called for the overthrow of the government and blocked ports.
In June, riots broke out and the Parliament building in Kenya was stormed when the government announced new taxes on every day goods. Former president Obama’s half-sister Auma was tear gassed as she protested.
In March, gunmen killed over 130 people and wounded more than 100 in a Moscow area concert hall. ISIS claimed responsibility. Gunmen attacked synagogues and churches in southern Russia in June, killing police officers and a priest. Six of the gunmen died in shootouts. No motive was found.
King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer and stepped back from royal duties while he underwent treatment. The Princes of Wales, Kate Middleton, disappeared from public view after undergoing abdominal surgery in January, and after more than a month of being out of the public eye, announced she was being treated for cancer.
Natural disasters overseas claimed many lives this year. Japan was rocked with earthquakes Jan. 1, prompting concerns over tsunamis. In Dubai, UAE, a once in a century flood swamped the city after a cloud-seeding A heat wave killed over 1,300 people during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca is Saudi Arabia in June. In early July, Hurricane Beryl churned through the Carribean, growing quickly to a Cat. 5 that killed dozens. In September, over 20 died due to flooding in Central Europe. Heavy rains caused breaches in dams and destroyed bridges in the Czech Republic, Austria, and Romania. In late October, over 150 people were killed in a massive flood in the Valencia region of Spain after one year’s worth of rain fell in one day. A landslide in Papua, New Guinea destroyed homes and killed almost 2,000 people.
Remember to pick up a copy of the paper to see what happened in 2024 in the U.S. The next issue comes out on January 3, 2025. Have a happy holiday and new year, everyone!
