John Simpson, veteran journalist, warns that 2025 has seen conflicts escalate to levels that threaten global stability. His decades of experience covering wars highlight the unique dangers posed by ongoing strife in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan.
I've reported on more than 40 wars around the world during my career, which goes back to the 1960s. I watched the Cold War reach its height, then simply evaporate. But I've never seen a year quite as worrying as 2025 has been - not just because several major conflicts are raging but because it is becoming clear that one of them has geopolitical implications of unparalleled importance.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the current conflict in his country could escalate into a world war. After nearly 60 years of observing conflict, I've got a nasty feeling he's right.
NATO and Western governments are on high alert as aggressive actions by Russia foreshadow a much wider conflict, with the ramifications rippling through global security frameworks. Simpson’s insights serve as a reminder of the active and potential threats present in today’s geopolitical landscape.
The year has also seen troubling conflicts in Gaza, where tensions persist in the aftermath of significant military actions, and Sudan, grappling with civil war that has resulted in massive casualties. Simpson urges that despite prevalent conflicts, attentive vigilance is paramount to prevent a downturn into greater global disorder.
As the world looks to 2026, questions loom regarding the potential for resolution or escalation in these high-stakes environments.
