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Snapshot of Factal editors’ 2025 global outlooks

Sarah Burke
Map of 500 global incidents verified and geolocated by editors at Factal

The new year always brings new unknowns in global news coverage. But it’s also a good time to reflect and plan ahead. Our editors created regional outlooks for 2025 which detail what new developments — and what impacts — our members should be prepared for, worldwide, in the months to come. Below are highlights from the multi-page regional outlooks sent to Factal members.

Factal’s international newsroom is staffed 24/7 by teams of experienced journalists — fluent in at least 15 languages — working across three continents. Factal editors have deep expertise in following geopolitical events and breaking news stories wherever they go — online, or on the map. The year ahead is likely to bring shifting power, political uncertainty and economic instability across six continents. 

These are highlights of the stories Factal’s newsroom will be watching in 2025:

Middle East

Israel wars: Israel’s military dominance may expand further into Palestinian territories and Syria with more vocal U.S. support in the Trump administration. In the West Bank, annexations and illegal settlements will likely continue.  In Gaza the prospects for a permanent truce remain distant, despite a fragile ceasefire. Amid these tense conditions, the Trump administration is reportedly aiming for a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which could have major impacts on the region.

Also in Factal’s 2025 lookahead for the Middle East:

  • Turkey’s Power Push 
  • Sudan’s Civil War

Africa

US-Africa policy: The Trump administration’s “America first” agenda will have wide-ranging impacts across Africa, as USAID and other foreign aid spending faces possible elimination. The future of all U.S.-backed aid programming – including through the WHO – hangs in the balance. President Trump has outlined an Africa policy that will focus more on countering Chinese influence on the continent as well as fighting terrorism. 

Also in Factal’s 2025 lookahead for Africa:

Latin America

Democracy at stake in Bolivia: Voters will elect a new president and parliament in Bolivia in August amid a very real threat of protests, civil unrest and violence. The ruling socialist MAS party has splintered into factions loyal to former leader Evo Morales and current leader and President Luis Arce.  While courts have ruled Morales ineligible to run, he remains politically active in his home region where he continues to evade a court-ordered arrest. 

Also in Factal’s 2025 lookahead for Latin America:

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Asia-Pacific

China Sea tensions: Chinese military activity around Taiwan increased after the 2024 inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing views as a hard-line separatist. Chinese drills and intimidation efforts may escalate in response to perceived “provocations” by Taiwan and its allies, with a likely increase in use of sabotage tactics like cyber and undersea cable attacks. Confrontations with Philippines vessels near the disputed Scarborough and Sabina Shoals will also continue, underscoring the unresolved and volatile nature of territorial disputes in the region.

Also in Factal’s 2025 lookahead for Asia-Pacific:

North America

U.S. immigration policy changes: The first few weeks of the new Trump administration brought a slew of executive orders announcing sweeping change to U.S. policy on immigration. The moves included an emergency declaration for the border with Mexico, a suspension of all refugee admissions and a plan to eliminate birthright citizenship. Court battles over the legality of these orders should be expected, while demonstrations and civil unrest could mount.

Also in Factal’s 2025 lookahead for North America:

Europe

Russia’s expanding European sabotage efforts: Last year Russia engaged in record physical sabotage and influence operations in Europe. This year could see greater escalation of hybrid warfare. Near-term threats include destabilization and arson attacks, high-profile assassination attempts, election interference and military sabotage. Potential impacts on civilians are of concern, including through disruptions to civil aviation and critical infrastructure like water, power and undersea cabling. Following attacks last year, Europe and NATO are already planning to bolster naval resources in the Baltic Sea.

Also in Factal’s 2025 lookahead for Europe:

Factal’s full regional outlooks for 2025 include additional topics and resources for members. If you are not a member, but would like to see the Factal’s 2025 resources in full, you are invited to access a trial with us. This will help your team see Factal in action as events unfold. 

You can also sign up to receive our newsletter The Debrief, here. Every month, Factal’s journalists take a look back at big global events that you might have missed. Subscribers get unmatched insight into the stories that will continue to shape our world.

What is Factal?

Trusted by many of the world’s largest companies and nearly 300 humanitarian NGOs, Factal is a risk intelligence and collaboration platform that brings clarity to an increasingly noisy and uncertain world.

Powered by a hybrid of advanced AI and experienced journalists, Factal detects early signals, verifies critical details and assesses the potential impact at the speed of social media. From physical incidents and brand mentions to geopolitical developments, Factal offers the most trusted, real-time risk intelligence on the market.

Factal is also home to the largest security and safety collaboration network in the private sector. Members securely share information with other members in proximity to the same incident, both on Factal.com and the Factal app.

Learn more at Factal.com, and we’d love to hear from you.

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