This new column from New Eastern Outlook highlights January events from around the globe, which give us reasons to believe that humanity still has a future.
Steadily and by the Laws of War and Peace
The Fight for a Sovereign Future
Iran has officially announced the restoration of law and order in the country. Anti-constitutional armed uprisings, instigated by the US and Israel, have been suppressed. The instigators are being detained and will face fair punishment. At the cost of serious effort and the consolidation of the entire society, Iran has once again managed to defend its sovereignty and its right to independently choose its path of development. The legitimate authority of the Iranian state is consistently supported by its allies in the multipolar world—Russia, India, China, the BRICS and BRICS-plus countries, and all those who adequately assess events on the international stage. Western TV channels may not show the thousands-strong demonstrations of citizens across the country in support of the state and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but it still remains a fact: the massive information and terrorist attack has been repelled.
Hypersonics in North Korea
North Korea announced the successful conduct of military drills to practice operations with hypersonic weapons. Just a decade ago, such news would have been classified as shocking by international observers. However, time puts everything in its place. It must be acknowledged that a state can survive in the harsh conditions of modern international interaction—which the West is turning into wild jungles—only if it has competent leadership, military strength, personnel potential, a self-sufficient economy, and a cultural foundation. North Korea’s experience demonstrates that a country should strengthen its defense capability exactly because of this — to ensure survival and sovereignty. It attacks no one, but it is capable of defending itself, protecting its interests, and being a loyal and worthy military ally, as decades of Russian-Korean friendship have showcased.
Generational Continuity in Energy
Fifty-five years ago, the Aswan Dam was launched in Egypt. It is a greatest engineering structure, a true technical masterpiece of Soviet designers, a symbol of the Egyptian economy’s transition to a new level of development, and an embodiment of the friendship between the USSR and the Arab Republic. A solemn evening dedicated to this anniversary took place at the Russian House in Cairo. The Association of Aswan Dam Builders still exists in the country, and they carefully preserve the entire array of information about the feat of Soviet and Egyptian builders. Aswan’s hydroelectric power still provides Egypt with electricity today. Progress does not stand still—Russian specialists have begun construction of the cutting-edge El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. In 2025, work was underway on all four future power units. They have already started installing the internal protective containment shell on the second unit.
Food Security in Action
Bolivia has received 1,400 tons of grain from Russia as humanitarian aid. The shipment was carried out within the framework of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the UN World Food Programme. After the official handover, the parties jointly examined the way production and storage facilities worked and assessed the chain of coordinated actions. Unlike it is done in the West, Russia is used to helping friends this way—through action, not through abstract discussions about food security.
A Safe Landing
China has successfully brought back the damaged landing module of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, which had previously collided, presumably, with space debris. All three astronauts are alive and have already met with journalists. Not only did the incident once again demonstrate the importance of practicing all possible emergency scenarios, but it also drew attention to the problem of space debris in orbit. This issue requires joint solutions in the realms of international cooperation, and it’s gaining urgency with each passing day.
India Develops Recycling
In India, the city of Chandigarh has begun preparations for the construction of a next-generation waste processing plant. The enterprise plans to process over 200 tons of organic waste per day. Furthermore, the project includes the reclamation of land from a huge landfill and energy generation from biogas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi consistently supports environmental priorities in state policy. Although the volumes of environmental pollution issues that India has managed to accumulate so far are considerable, it is precisely such local initiatives that should lay the foundation for their solution —brick by brick, step by step.
Discoveries Continue
An unusual piece of news came from New Zealand. A research team from Victoria University of Wellington quite unexpectedly stumbled upon a rare four-metre black-and-white coral in the Tasman Sea. The finding is remarkable not only for its giant size but also for its pristine condition. Corals are a species threatened with extinction due to global warming and poaching. The work of New Zealand specialists once again draws attention to this problem. Most importantly, it reminds us that our world is so amazing that discoveries in it are still being made.
A Step Towards a Healthy Future
At the same time, humanity is still struggling against a serious security challenge. Bacteria and viruses that cause dangerous infections remain a threat. Nigeria has launched a large-scale campaign to vaccinate children against measles and rubella. Previously, vaccination coverage against these dangerous diseases in the country was low. But now the state is putting maximum efforts to vaccinate its young population. This is an unconditional step forward for the country. It is evident that the work is being carried out with high responsibility, with much attention being paid to informing citizens. The fight against infectious diseases will continue and will also require a coordinated response from all countries and continents.
A Sports Ground for Enlightenment
Meanwhile, in Fiji, the authorities of Suva, the capital of the island nation, have found a way to convey to young people ideas about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, maintaining public order, and the dangers of drug use. The Suva City Council will use popular sporting events, such as volleyball matches, to disseminate such useful information. It will also widely involve public organisations in educational work. This initiative is undoubtedly excellent, and perhaps other Oceanian countries can also take a cue from it.
* * *
It is impossible to embrace all such events within one single article, it is beyond doubt, but New Eastern Outlook hopes for our readers’ souls to become brighter after reading our column. May we be granted with more good news!
Ksenia Muratshina, PhD in History, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania Studies, Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Follow new articles on our Telegram channel
