As the editor of Concrete’s Global section, the task of reflecting on the year’s coverage brings a mix of pride, concern, and a deepened understanding of the tumultuous world we inhabit. 

From the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to the student protests that ousted Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we have borne witness to a world in the throes of rapid change, where political leaders rise and fall, movements gain traction, and the fight for rights and dignity continues unabated. 

In many ways, the stories we’ve covered this year are indicative of a global order marked by deep fractures—fractures of inequality, power, and conflicting ideologies—fractures that are increasingly visible and harder to ignore. But they also speak to something hopeful: a collective push for change, sometimes at great personal cost, driven by individuals and communities who refuse to be silenced. 

One of the central themes of our coverage this year has been the political upheaval in countries where entrenched authoritarian systems have long ruled. In Bangladesh, we saw how student protests, initially sparked by the controversial reinstatement of a discriminatory quota system for civil service recruitment, snowballed into a broader movement that ultimately forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. 

This was a historic moment—not just for Bangladesh, but for global democracy movements. Students, often regarded as the powerless faction in political struggles, succeeded in toppling a political regime that had ruled the country for two decades. Yet, the violent repression they faced at the hands of government forces—resulting in over 100 deaths—was a stark reminder of the lengths to which governments will go to retain power.

In covering this story, we saw the same global currents of resistance that we observed elsewhere: from Myanmar to Sudan and even within Western democracies grappling with political polarisation. 

Political systems are increasingly under strain, and while moments of resistance like the one in Bangladesh offer hope, they also highlight the immense challenges of overcoming deeply entrenched political structures. The outcome in Bangladesh—military control following Hasina’s fall—also illustrates the fragility of political transitions, where one form of power may simply give way to another, albeit one that remains undemocratic.

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was another defining event that dominated our coverage. The death of the Hamas leader did not just send shockwaves through Gaza, but it catalysed tensions between Israel, Iran, and their respective allies. 

The failure of peace talks in Gaza amid this escalation points to the larger question of the region’s unrelenting cycles of conflict. The fragile ceasefire talks, initially heralded as a breakthrough for peace, were marred by last-minute demands and geopolitical manoeuvring. 

The assassination highlighted the dangers of relying on political leadership that can change overnight—where even the most fragile truces are subject to the whims of power struggles and where the pursuit of peace is often undermined by entrenched ideologies and international interests. The Middle East’s pursuit of peace remains as complex and elusive as ever.

The war in Ukraine, now in its second year, has entered a new and even more volatile phase. This year, we covered how Ukraine, with significant military aid from NATO and the United States, has launched counteroffensives, reclaiming territories once occupied by Russian forces. Yet, as Russia adapts to these developments by fortifying defensive positions and employing more devastating tactics, the conflict has become increasingly unpredictable and devastating.

Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty has become a symbol of the broader geopolitical struggle between autocratic and democratic forces. The war is no longer just a regional conflict—it is a high-stakes global confrontation with implications for international security and the future of European integration. 

As Russian forces continue to target civilian infrastructure, the humanitarian crisis grows more dire by the day, with millions displaced and basic services crippled. The toll on Ukraine’s civilians is immeasurable, and the international community’s failure to broker a lasting peace only deepens the crisis.

Western support for Ukraine has been unwavering, but it also complicates the situation, with fears of escalating tensions between NATO and Russia, especially as Moscow strengthens ties with countries like Iran and North Korea. 

The conflict in Ukraine, while still ongoing, is a microcosm of broader global trends: the erosion of trust between great powers, the rise of authoritarian nationalism, and the deepening rifts in international diplomacy. 

In stark contrast to the violence and political upheaval elsewhere, the story of nineteen Afghan women who defied the Taliban’s ban on education to pursue their medical studies in Scotland stood as a beacon of hope. These women, who had endured unimaginable repression under Taliban rule, found refuge in Scotland, where they were given the chance to continue their education and achieve their dreams. 

Their story is not only one of personal triumph but of international solidarity—proof that when communities and nations come together in support of those most vulnerable, change is possible.

Their success is a testament to the power of education as both a tool for personal empowerment and a form of resistance. In a world where authoritarian regimes continue to rise, these women’s accomplishments remind us of the importance of standing up for human rights, particularly in the face of regimes that seek to suppress them.

The Price of Progress: Environmental Consequences of Green Energy. In Chile, the environmental costs of lithium extraction for renewable energy technologies became a central issue this year. As global demand for lithium—essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage—continues to rise, the extraction processes in the Atacama Desert have placed immense strain on local ecosystems and indigenous communities. 

This story underscores the uncomfortable truth that the green revolution, as critical as it is for combating climate change, comes at a price. The demand for critical resources to power our transition to cleaner energy is often met with environmental destruction, creating a complex ethical dilemma about how we balance the urgent need for sustainable energy with the preservation of human rights and environmental integrity.

Looking back on the year, the stories we’ve covered in Concrete’s Global section serve as a snapshot of a world in flux. Political systems once thought stable are crumbling under the weight of public discontent, and geopolitical tensions are escalating with each passing day. Yet, amidst the chaos, there are powerful undercurrents of change—a growing recognition of the need for accountability, justice, and action.

This year has been a reminder that the world’s problems are not isolated but interconnected. The fight for democracy in Bangladesh is linked to the battle for human rights in Gaza; the pursuit of green energy is entangled with questions of environmental justice. 

And as these issues rise to the forefront, the role of journalism becomes ever more crucial—not just to document the world as it is, but to question its trajectory and its treatment of the most vulnerable.

In the coming year, we will continue to follow these stories, offering a platform to those whose voices are often unheard. Whether in the streets of Dhaka or the classrooms of Edinburgh, the stories of resistance and solidarity we cover will be a testament to the enduring human spirit—a reminder that while the future may be uncertain, the fight for a better, more just world continues.

Image Credit: WikimediaCommons