The World Today: December & January 2023/24: Power in the voters’ hands

Voters in June’s EU Parliament elections are more likely to cast their ballots in judgement of their national governments than drag the bloc to the right, argues Nathalie Tocci.

With a new president – probably a woman – guaranteed in June, an apathetic electorate has the chance to renew the country’s social contract, writes Vanessa Rubio-Márquez.

Vladimir Putin’s victory is certain, but the ‘menu of manipulation’ to ensure it will reveal much about the state of his regime, write Ben Noble and Nikolai Petrov.

Political freedoms have eroded under the BJP’s Hindu nationalism. But as the election looms, Indian democracy is in better shape than widely assumed, argues Chietigj Bajpaee.

With the governing ANC’s popularity in decline and the opposition joining forces, power-sharing options are on the table, writes Mohamed Cassimjee.

How Slovakia votes will determine whether Prime Minister Robert Fico can continue his anti-democratic direction unhindered, writes Lubica Pollakova.

Taipei is preparing for possible conflict with cheap drones, better-trained troops and well-prepared civilians, writes Helen Fitzwilliam.

How will Beijing anticipate key elections in America, India, Taiwan and elsewhere? By steering the world towards ‘multi-polarity’ and neutrality, writes Yu Jie.

The day Hugo Chávez was elected president on 6 December, 1998, many dared to hope. Instead, he launched 25 years of repression and chaos, writes Francisco Toro.

From major elections to the AI boom, here are the issues six of our expert contributors expect to make the news in the year ahead.

The former top American general tells Lynne O’Donnell about the threat of China, how Ukraine has changed warfare and why the West must focus on Africa.

After images reveal new Chinese building on its territory, Bhutan is closing on a border agreement with China that may alarm India, write John Pollock and Damien Symon.

Noo Saro-Wiwa, author of ‘Black Ghosts’, and BBC journalist Danny Vincent discuss China’s African community and the country’s ‘pragmatic’ attitudes to race.

A wave of crime and kidnapping has increased murder rates five-fold in a country that was until recently a haven of peace. Dan Collyns speaks to those affected.

‘The Future of Foreign Policy is Feminist‘ makes a good case for the necessity of FFP, but is vague on how to bring it about, writes Eirliani Abdul Rahman.

In ‘Climate Capitalism’, Akshat Rathi’s enthusiasm for environmental private enterprise is infectious, but he’s unclear on who’s footing the bill, writes Ann Pettifor.

‘Diversionary war’ and goosing the economy may be tempting routes for Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak and others seeking to retain office in 2024 – beware, writes Daniel Drezner.

From averting a European war to hosting a furious Greta Thunberg, the World Economic Forum gathering in Switzerland has provided unforgettable diplomatic moments.