In murky waters

In the wake of a tumultuous 2024 marked by political transitions, economic challenges, and conflicts across Asia and at the global level, India's aspirations of economic growth are overshadowed by inflation, unemployment, and strained regional relations

- DIPANKAR DEY

2024 has been an eventful year for Asia in general and South Asia in particular. Elections have been held in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Taiwan, Nepal, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, South Korea, Maldives, Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, Syria, Jordan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Uzbekistan, Georgia and India.

In Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore since 2004, is succeeded by former Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as prime minister, ahead of the next general election in 2025. Citizens of Russia, the United States of America and the United Kingdom have also elected their leaders in 2024.

The Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were killed in a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan-Iran border. Israel has nearly destroyed the Gaza strip killing thousands of innocent Palestinians. It has also killed major leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah.

On December 8, President of Syria Bashar al-Assad left Damascus after being overthrown, ending his presidency and the Baathist Syria regime after a total of 61 years. The Syrian opposition forms the Syrian Transitional Government as a provisional government.

Last week, the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's powers and duties were suspended after Members of Parliament voted to impeach him, following his martial law declaration the previous week.

In January, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won re-election in polls boycotted by the opposition. But due to a mass movement against her rule, Sheikh Hasina boarded a military plane and flew to India, on August 5, where she stays now. The new interim government, headed by Dr Younus, faces major challenges with law and order, retributive politics, and soaring expectations.