As the world ushered in 2024, celebrations were shadowed by the continuation of regional conflicts, casting a pall over the hopeful anticipation for the New Year. From the Pacific to the Middle East, nations welcomed the new year amidst heightened security and ongoing strife, reflecting a global landscape marred by uncertainty and tension.
In New Zealand and Australia, people gathered for spectacular fireworks displays, while in India and China, traditions and modern displays lit up the night sky. However, the festive mood was not universal. In Vatican City, Pope Francis used his New Year's speech to pray for those suffering in conflict zones, highlighting the global reach of ongoing disputes.
The United States and Europe braced for potential unrest linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has seen daily protests in major cities since the escalation in October of the previous year. Governments across Europe, including France and Germany, deployed thousands of officers to ensure public safety and maintain order during New Year's Eve celebrations.
In the Middle East, the situation was even more dire. The Gaza Strip, the epicenter of the Israel-Palestine conflict, saw continued Israeli bombardment, with families struggling to survive in refugee camps. Tel Aviv displayed neon signs calling for the release of an Israeli hostage, and in Pakistan, celebrations were banned in solidarity with war-torn Gaza.
In Eastern Europe, the Russia-Ukraine conflict loomed large, with both Moscow and Kyiv forgoing traditional New Year's celebrations for wartime addresses and curfews. Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded his people's resilience and unity, while Kyiv's streets lay empty under the curfew and constant threat of air raids.
The outlook for 2024 is grim, with Isabelle Arradon from the International Crisis Group warning of the highest level of conflict-related deaths in two millennia. The anticipation of increased regional conflicts, driven by factors like the climate crisis and public debt, threatens to plunge areas like Sudan, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Myanmar, and the Sahel region into further turmoil.
