As 2024 begins, two of the world’s most important shipping routes—the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal—both face threats that require a global response. The two challenges aren’t alike. But given their effects on global trade, it’s worth asking, What if we treated them with a similar sense of urgency, strategy, attention and resources?
Global
2023 was marked by the worst of international politics. Conflict, famine and refugee flows were all at record highs. Those trends will continue into 2024. But it is notable that 2024 also offers a litmus test for gauging how populations around the world are responding to those crises: A record number of global elections.
As 2023 drew to a close, it was easy to feel like the world was trending in the wrong direction. Nonetheless, behind the many “bad news” headlines from last year are a number of other “good news” stories that didn’t get as much press coverage. To usher in 2024, here are some reasons for hope in the New Year ahead.