“2024 in Numbers: From War’s Toll to a Warming Planet”

At the far reaches of Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds on into another year. Ukrainians marked some notable successes throughout 2024, emerging as a dominant force in the Black Sea despite their limited naval capabilities and launching a counteroffensive into Russia’s Kursk region in August. However, as the year draws to a close, Ukraine finds itself on the defensive, having lost significant territorial gains and suffering devastating losses among its forces.

Russia, in turn, continues its relentless advance, but at an extraordinary cost. The past few months have been particularly brutal for its troops. According to the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War, Russia saw an estimated 53 casualties per square kilometer of Ukrainian territory gained between September and November 2024.

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A Year of Blockbuster Elections

The year 2024 also witnessed a whirlwind of elections around the globe, with over 60 countries heading to the polls. These included major votes in France, the UK, Bulgaria, India, Japan, and the U.S., as well as elections for the European Parliament. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, played an increasingly prominent role in shaping campaigns, underscoring the platform’s growing influence in modern politics.

In many parts of Europe, there was a clear shift to the right. Far-right parties rose to power in some nations, while in others, they gained leverage to exert considerable pressure on existing governments.

One of the most significant outcomes came from the June European Parliament election, where Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists solidified their status as EU power brokers. In France, President Emmanuel Macron’s unexpected decision to call a snap election after the EU vote threw the country into political turmoil.

Notably, the far right’s widespread success has challenged traditional assumptions about their supporters. Stereotypical portrayals of their base—often depicted as angry older men—are increasingly outdated in light of this year’s election results.