In many respects, 2024 was the kind of year which makes wishing anyone a happy 2025 seem like a reckless temptation of the fates.
Nevertheless, as a planet, a species and a foreign affairs podcast, we find ourselves contemplating with both trepidation and optimism, another as yet unwritten chapter in our history books.
We do know that early in the new year a new US President will be sworn in.
And because this new US Is also a previous US President, we have some form on which to bet.
It would be surprising, all things considered, if the second inauguration of Donald Trump does not prove to be the event which has most to do with how 2025 pans out.
We know that President Elect Trump intends to bring swift ends to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
We don't yet know what his plans, or indeed concepts of plans are, or if they will work.
If restrained Russia or a placid Middle east could be accomplished by US Presidents wishing for them, we would barely have heard a squeak out of either.
Since Harry Truman was in the White House, we can probably wearily expect an amount of self indulgent tail chasing among Europe's alleged leading nations.
Germany will hold early elections which may cause at least as many problems as they solve.
France may have to hunt again for a prime minister who will outlast any given baguette into that void may, who knows, a confident Italy, an assertive Poland, a UK which may be coming to understand that though you may check out of Europe, you can never really leave.
And that's just the stuff we know about.
What else should we look out for in 2025?
What should we not overlook?
And how hopeful does our panel dare be?
This is the Foreign Desk.
You know when they say that look, without China, no peace is possible in Ukraine because China can only re in Russia, and so on so forth.
But that in turn means that China will have a say about what Russia can do or cannot do in Europe.
Who can talk to Trump?
Is it going to be von der Leyen?