🌍 Reflecting on a Challenging Year: CFR's Overview of 2025

2025 proved to be a pivotal year in global affairs, marked by intensifying conflicts, shifting power dynamics, and a noticeable decline in international cooperation. In a candid analysis published on December 23, 2025, by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), President Mike Froman detailed the ten most significant world events that defined the year. Titled 'Ten Most Significant World Events in 2025,' the report underscores how the world moved further away from collaborative ideals, with few uplifting moments like the 2024 Paris Olympics to offer hope. Instead, the forces of contention dominated, signaling the waning of the American-led international order established after World War II.

Froman's piece highlights a year where geopolitical rivalries deepened, trade barriers rose, and humanitarian crises worsened. This erosion of cooperation had ripple effects across economies, security frameworks, and diplomatic relations. For those in higher education studying international relations or global policy, these developments reshaped research priorities, funding opportunities, and academic collaborations. Understanding these events provides crucial context for navigating the uncertainties of 2026 and beyond.

The CFR's assessment draws from ongoing conflicts, technological competitions, and bold policy shifts under U.S. President Donald Trump's second term, which surprisingly veered toward a new form of American internationalism rather than isolationism. Events like attempted territorial expansions and trade skirmishes exemplified the year's turbulent trajectory.

Key Themes: Declining International Cooperation and Rising Contentions

At the core of CFR's analysis is the theme of declining international cooperation. Traditional alliances frayed as nations prioritized national interests over collective action. For instance, global summits in 2025, including the World Economic Forum in Davos and G20 meetings, grappled with U.S.-driven tariff hikes and China's dominance in critical minerals, leading to fragmented outcomes. Humanitarian aid cuts disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, particularly women, exacerbating crises in regions like Sudan.

This shift challenged multilateral institutions like the United Nations and NATO, prompting debates on reforming or replacing them. In academia, professors and researchers in political science departments analyzed these trends through lenses of realism versus liberalism in international relations theory. Students exploring careers in diplomacy or global studies found new relevance in topics like geoeconomics and supply chain vulnerabilities. The year's events underscored the need for adaptive strategies in foreign policy education and research.

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• Rising nationalism eroded trust in global institutions.
• Technological races, especially in AI and minerals, fueled zero-sum competitions.
• Ongoing wars and new flashpoints prevented diplomatic breakthroughs.
• Economic policies like tariffs strained alliances and consumer markets.

📊 The Top 10 Most Significant World Events of 2025

CFR ranked these events based on their impact on global stability, cooperation, and the evolving world order. Here's a detailed breakdown, counting down from 10 to 1, with explanations of their contexts, consequences, and broader implications.

10. Escalation of Cambodia-Thailand Border Clash

Tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border reignited in early 2025, stemming from longstanding disputes over the Preah Vihear temple area. Skirmishes escalated into artillery exchanges, displacing thousands and drawing ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) mediation efforts that faltered due to internal divisions. This event symbolized fracturing regional cooperation in Southeast Asia, where economic ties via trade blocs clashed with territorial nationalism. Globally, it raised concerns over supply chain disruptions in electronics manufacturing, as both nations host key assembly plants. In higher education, it spurred research into ASEAN's effectiveness, with universities ramping up Southeast Asian studies programs.

9. Election of Pope Leo XIV

In a historic conclave, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States was elected as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff. His ascension amid climate crises and migration waves positioned the Vatican as a moral counterweight to secular powers. Leo XIV's early encyclicals emphasized interfaith dialogue and environmental stewardship, but geopolitical divides limited their reach. This event highlighted religion's role in soft power diplomacy, influencing discussions on ethics in international relations. Academic circles debated its impact on U.S.-Vatican relations, with theology and IR departments seeing increased enrollment.

8. India-Pakistan Conflict After Pahalgam Attack

A terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killed dozens, prompting Indian airstrikes into Pakistan and retaliatory measures. The crisis, echoing 2019's Balakot, brought nuclear-armed rivals to the brink, with UN calls for restraint ignored amid domestic politics. Ceasefire talks mediated by the U.S. held tenuously, underscoring South Asia's volatility. This flare-up disrupted regional trade and heightened global nuclear proliferation fears. For scholars, it exemplified hybrid warfare, prompting new courses in counterterrorism and research jobs in security studies.

7. Intensification of the US-China AI Race

The competition between the United States and China in artificial intelligence (AI) accelerated, with Beijing advancing sixth-generation tech and Washington imposing export controls. Investments surged, but ethical concerns over military applications grew. CFR noted this as a microcosm of tech decoupling, hindering global standards. Impacts included talent wars for AI experts, affecting university partnerships. Aspiring lecturers can prepare by honing skills; see how to become a university lecturer.

6. Sudan's Brutal Civil War Worsens

Sudan's conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces devastated the nation, displacing millions and causing famine. International aid efforts faltered due to sanctions and access denials, with women bearing the brunt as per CFR. This humanitarian catastrophe exemplified failed peacekeeping, straining UN resources. In academia, it fueled studies on failed states, with calls for interdisciplinary approaches in anthropology and political science.

5. China's Weaponization of Critical Minerals

China's near-monopoly on rare earth elements and critical minerals led to export restrictions, reshaping geopolitics. The U.S. and allies scrambled for alternatives, boosting mining in Australia and Africa. This 'minerals cold war' disrupted green energy transitions, highlighting supply chain fragilities. Universities saw a boom in geoeconomics research, creating research assistant jobs.

4. U.S. Tariffs and Global Trade Disruptions

Trump's expanded tariffs on steel, autos, and chips hit record highs, provoking retaliations and inflating consumer prices. WTO disputes piled up, eroding trade norms. CFR warned of recession risks, with developing economies hit hardest. This event accelerated deglobalization trends, impacting international business curricula.

3. Strains on the Last U.S.-Russia Nuclear Agreement

New START teetered as Russia suspended participation amid Ukraine tensions, though backchannel talks under Trump aimed at salvage. This near-miss revived arms control debates, vital for global security. Academia responded with simulations and policy papers on deterrence.

2. Trump's Peacemaker Cease-Fires in Ukraine and Gaza

Surprisingly, Trump brokered fragile cease-fires in Ukraine (with Russia) and Gaza (Israel-Hamas), earning a 'peacemaker' moniker. However, enforcement issues persisted, reflecting transactional diplomacy over enduring peace. These moves reshaped Middle East and European security, with mixed academic reception on their longevity.

1. The Apparent End of the American-Led World Order

Topping the list, Trump's pursuits of the Panama Canal, Canada, and Greenland crystallized the shift from U.S. hegemony. Bold rhetoric and actions marked a 'Trumpian internationalism,' prioritizing deals over alliances. This paradigm change dominated foreign policy discourse, challenging liberal internationalism.

Implications for Global Stability and Higher Education

These events collectively illustrate a world in flux, where declining international cooperation fosters uncertainty. Trade wars slowed economic growth by an estimated 1-2% globally, per economic models, while conflicts displaced over 10 million. In higher education, they boosted demand for expertise in emerging fields like AI ethics and climate geopolitics. International student mobility dipped due to visa tensions, but online programs flourished. Professors adapting curricula found opportunities in professor jobs focused on contemporary issues.

Positive notes include innovation surges, like China's 'electrostate' push in electrification, inspiring sustainable tech research. Policymakers and educators must prioritize resilience-building through diversified partnerships.

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Looking Ahead: Lessons from 2025 for 2026

As 2026 dawns, CFR's companion pieces like 'Visualizing 2026' and 'A Look Back at 2025' urge proactive diplomacy. Key watchpoints include mineral diversification, tariff negotiations, and nuclear talks. For the academic community, these signal growth in university jobs related to global affairs. Share your insights in the comments below—what event impacted you most? Explore Rate My Professor for top IR educators, browse higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, or post a job to connect talent with opportunities in this dynamic field.