President Biden’s exit from office has left a world grappling with unprecedented danger, conflict, and instability, all of which will now be inherited by President Trump. During Biden’s tenure, global conflicts have escalated, economic uncertainty has prevailed, and political upheaval has become widespread. The year 2024 witnessed a staggering 81% of the world’s population being exposed to violence, with an average of 52 conflict incidents reported daily.
Civilians have borne the brunt of this violence, with one in eight individuals worldwide directly impacted by conflict. ACLED data shows that global conflict levels have doubled over the past five years, with nearly 200,000 violent events recorded in 2024 alone. As Donald Trump returns to the U.S. presidency, there are potential shifts in international alliances on the horizon, emphasizing the urgent need for renewed diplomacy and humanitarian action to address the rising global instability.
In 2024, the wars in Ukraine and Palestine emerged as the deadliest conflicts of the year, showcasing fractures in global stability. In the Middle East, the conflict between Hamas and Israel, which escalated into a regional conflict involving Hezbollah and Houthi rebels, has claimed over 50,000 lives since the 2023 attack on Gaza. Similarly, Ukraine has witnessed civilian casualties totaling 39,081 for the year, with an overall death toll exceeding 57,500 and 250,000 wounded, highlighting the devastating human cost of the war.
President Biden’s commitment of over $62 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of his administration includes military aid, humanitarian assistance, and financial support. Additionally, the U.S. has provided substantial economic aid, including debt relief measures, to bolster Ukraine’s economy, with a total allocation of approximately $175 billion in various forms of assistance since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Myanmar continues to be embroiled in conflict following the 2021 military coup, with over 170 active non-state armed groups operating weekly, fueling a volatile and unpredictable conflict environment. The military junta’s brutal campaigns, including airstrikes and mass arrests, have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and devastating communities. The global death toll exceeded 233,000 in 2024, with minimal international intervention and a widening power vacuum posing a threat to regional security in Southeast Asia.
The Syrian war took a significant turn in 2024 with the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, leading to chaos in Syria as competing factions and extremist groups vie for control in the power vacuum. The resurgence of ISIS poses a threat not only to the region but also to global security, as the group seeks to expand its operations beyond Syria. The collapse of Assad’s government disrupts existing geopolitical alignments, particularly for Russia and Iran, who heavily supported the regime, raising concerns of broader regional conflict and unchecked extremism.
Despite a decline in violence in Yemen, new hotspots like the Red Sea and Sahel have become battlegrounds for jihadist groups, militias, and external mercenaries, exacerbating civilian suffering. Advanced warfare methods, including bombings and remote violence, accounted for over 90,000 events in 2024, reflecting a shift towards more sophisticated tactics by state and non-state actors. ACLED predicts a 15% rise in conflict events for early 2025, with monthly fatalities expected to reach 20,000, emphasizing the urgency for addressing and mitigating these crises.
As President Trump takes on the responsibility of leading in a world fraught with danger and instability, there is hope that his strength and deal-making skills will be leveraged to address global violence before it escalates further. The challenges ahead are daunting, but with strategic leadership and concerted efforts, there is potential to navigate through these turbulent times towards a more peaceful and stable world.
