Post #11673

🌐2️⃣0️⃣5️⃣The outgoing year 2025 was a challenging one. What can we expect from the Year of the Fire Horse? The past year saw a record number of conflicts and deepening crises across Asia and the Middle East. The coming year promises intensified geopolitical competition, regional instability, and the accelerated erosion of the old world order ✍️Author:Nikolay Plotnikov, PhD Head of the Center for Scientific and Analytical Information, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (CSAI IOS RAS) ➡️In Asia, Japan is undergoing a historic militarization shift. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to accelerate defense spending to 2% of GDP and revise key security documents to develop "strike capabilities," challenging post-war pacifist principles. South Korea seeks a difficult balance, facing U.S. pressure to contain China while attempting to diversify its diplomacy, as seen in resumed dialogue with Iran. With rare exceptions, European countries do not show a desire to settle the conflict in Ukraine; on the contrary, they are rapidly militarizing their economies and openly declaring preparation for war with Russia ➡️Southeast Asia remains tense with the unresolved Thai-Cambodian border conflict.South Asia grapples with intertwined crises: a severe humanitarian disaster in Myanmar, economic collapse in Nepal and Bangladesh, and rising terrorism fueling mutual accusations between India and Pakistan. Afghanistan remains a source of regional instability, with a catastrophic humanitarian situation and the potential for water conflicts with Central Asia. ➡️In the Middle East, uncertainty prevails.The Gaza peace process is stalled, with Israel's Netanyahu government appearing to seek permanent control over parts of the strip. Syria is further fragmenting along sectarian lines. Regional economies like Egypt's remain afloat only on massive external financial infusions, while North Africa shows fragile, uneven recovery. 🟦Globally, Europe is rapidly militarizing with an openly confrontational stance toward Russia.The U.S. is aggressively reviving the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America. The impending expiration of the last major U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty in February 2026 signals a dangerous new phase of unconstrained strategic competition. The Year of the Fire Horse will be defined by the struggle for resources, technological dominance, and the definitive fragmentation of the unipolar system. #CentralAsia#Europe#MiddleEast#Militaryconflict#Militarydefense#SoutheastAsia READ MORE ✅@NewEasternOutlook