The year 2023 was very eventful in international relations. Here you will find an overview in twelve tables.
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1) After a bloody and massive terrorist offensive on its territory, Israel attacks Gaza with the aim of destroying Hamas, de-radicalizing the Palestinians and freeing the hostages. There is little reaction from the Palestinians' allies, but the brutality of Israel's attack on civilians discredits Israel and tears apart American public opinion on campus.
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2) The Ukrainian and Russian armies are camped in their positions in Ukraine. Trump declares that Ukraine is not one of the vital interests of the United States. Vladimir Putin avoids a coup plotted by Yevgeny Prigogine, head of the Wagner Group. The latter then dies in a supposed plane crash. In view of the Russian threat, Sweden and Finland are continuing their efforts to join NATO.
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3) In France, Emmanuel Macron is implementing two important reforms. The first increases the retirement age and the second makes immigration more difficult.
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4) After a stormy start to the year, particularly due to a Chinese spy balloon affair, relations between the USA and China are normalizing. However, government reports are calling on the US to prepare for the possibility of a simultaneous war against China and Russia. The United States is strengthening its alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly with the Philippines.
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5) Thanks to a constitutional change, Xi Jinping wins his third consecutive term. He continues his purges of senior management, particularly in the military and large corporate executives. Its mismanagement is seriously slowing down the Chinese economy.
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6) Donald Trump is facing numerous lawsuits, including for fraud and incitement of insurrection. Still, he has managed to infiltrate the Republican Party and is well ahead of his party's nomination. He is also ahead in the polls for the 2024 presidential election. Under his pressure, Congress blocked military aid to Israel and Ukraine.
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7) The inauguration of a new parliament building in India shows that Narendra Modi continues to fuel his cult of personality. Justin Trudeau clumsily accuses the Indian government of allowing a Sikh citizen to be murdered in Canada, which led to a deterioration in relations between the two countries. Finally, Joe Biden supports Trudeau and intervenes with Modi on the same issue.
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8th) After the coups in Mali and Burkina Fasso in 2022, it is Niger's turn to fall victim to a coup. The Russian government appears to be behind these coups, which, among other things, force the withdrawal of French and American interests from the Sahel.
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9) In Argentina, a libertarian, Javier Milei, is elected. He orders a 50 percent devaluation of the currency and the abolition of several ministries.
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10) Despite alarming reports about climate change and despite the record number of climate disasters in 2023, COP28 produces a fake declaration that allows several countries to bypass numerous CO2 emissions restrictions.
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11) Fentanyl is becoming the leading cause of death among young people in the United States and other countries. Governments appear powerless to combat this scourge.
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12) Elon Musk buys Twitter, which he renames X. In the name of freedom of expression, he is abolishing the company's moderation mechanisms. Meanwhile, the world is discovering with astonishment the new achievements of artificial intelligence, especially ChatGPT.