So What Happened Last Year?

It is hard to believe that 2014 is already over, and what a year it has been! Here in Britain politics changed forever with the rise of UKIP, decline of the Lib Dems and Scotland almost voting for independence. In America same-sex marriage rights were expanded to most of the country and the mid-term elections went horrendously for Democrats. In the rest of the world Ukraine and Iraq appear to be breaking up, Israel invaded Gaza (again), Ebola ravaged parts of West Africa and there were huge protests in Hong Kong.

Over the next few posts I will look at the events that shaped 2014 in Britain, America and across the world.

1.       The Rise of ISIS

The Islamist terrorist group captured huge swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014. They imposed harsh Sharia law and threatened genocide against the Yazidi minority.

2.       Crisis in Ukraine

Protests in Ukraine resulted in the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych. Subsequent protests resulted in Crimea joining Russia and other separatist protests in south eastern Ukraine that have turned into a full revolt.

3.       Triumph for UKIP (and disaster for the Lib Dems)

Politics in the UK experienced a huge upheaval, in part thanks to the rise of UKIP. This has huge implications for the immediate future, especially May’s General Elections, however the long term future for the Party is not secure.

4.       A Solution is a long way off (Conflict in Israel and Palestine)

Israel was more extreme than ever in 2014, between the largest land grab in Israeli history and an invasion of Gaza.

5.       Scotland Nearly Says Goodbye

Voters in Scotland went to the polls in September to decide whether or not to break up the 300 year old union.

6.       Ebola Ravages West Africa

Ebola devastated parts of West Africa, killing thousands. To make matters worse the epidemic seems impossible to stop. I believe it also revealed something sad about how we treat Africa in the West.

7. Police Brutality Divides America

The death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown at the hands of white police officer Darren Wilson sparked protests against increasingly fatal police brutality.

8.       The Sex Abuse Scandal in Britain Engulfs All

2014 provided no rest for sex abuse scandals in the United Kingdom, with accusations that sex abuse extended into the heart of power: Westminster.

9.       Democrats Suffer Worst Mid-terms in a Generation

The Democrats were dealt a knockout blow by the Republicans in the November mid-terms, arguably performing their worst since 1980. The battle for the 2016 Presidential Election is now going to gear up, expect some extraordinary fights over the next couple of years.

10. Same-Sex Marriage Becomes 'the norm' in American states

Same-sex marriage made huge amounts of progress in 2014. By the end of the year a majority of states recognised same-sex marriage, opening the doors to happiness for same-sex couples across the country.