TL;DR
Veteran journalist John Simpson says 2025 is unusually dangerous, with multiple large conflicts (Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan) coinciding and one — the war in Ukraine — carrying unprecedented geopolitical risk. He warns that shifts in US policy and aggressive Russian activity raise the prospect of wider escalation.
What happened
John Simpson, a long‑time BBC world affairs correspondent who has covered more than 40 conflicts since the 1960s, argues that 2025 stands out as a particularly worrying year. He points to three major concurrent wars — Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Israel‑Gaza war following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, and a violent civil war in Sudan — and stresses that the Ukraine conflict now has wider geopolitical implications. Simpson highlights Western concerns about alleged Russian attacks on undersea cables, drone probes of NATO defences, and cyber operations that target governments and large organisations. He notes Western accusations of Russian involvement in killings and attempted killings of dissidents, and the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin. Simpson also warns that a shifting US strategic posture under President Trump — described in a recent US national security strategy report — has reduced certainty that Washington will defend Europe, increasing pressure on European states and raising the risk of further escalation.
Why it matters
- Multiple simultaneous major wars amplify the risk of unintended escalation and strain international crisis management.
- Russia's actions in and beyond Ukraine are viewed as challenging the post‑World War II security order in Europe.
- A potential US retreat from active European defence commitments would force Europe to assume a much larger security and financial burden.
- Concerns about cyberattacks and damage to undersea communications infrastructure threaten civilian services and economic stability.
Key facts
- Simpson has reported on more than 40 wars since the 1960s and says 2025 is uniquely worrying.
- The UN has said 14,000 civilians have died in Ukraine (figure cited in the source).
- The Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 killed around 1,200 people and led to about 251 hostages being taken, per the source.
- Gaza casualties reported by Gaza's Hamas‑run health ministry exceed 70,000, including more than 30,000 women and children; the UN considers those figures reliable, according to the source.
- Sudan's civil war has killed more than 150,000 people over the past couple of years and displaced about 12 million, per the source.
- Ukraine accuses Russia of kidnapping at least 20,000 children; the source reports this as Ukraine's allegation.
- The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin (reported in the source).
- Western authorities are on alert for alleged Russian attempts to cut undersea cables, and report concerns about drone probes and cyberattacks targeting ministries, emergency services and corporations.
- The source quotes US President Donald Trump saying, 'I'm good at solving wars' during a trip to Israel after negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza.
What to watch next
- Whether the United States sustains its current level of commitment to European security after next year’s mid‑term elections (source notes the possibility of changing US posture).
- Progress or terms of any peace deal for Ukraine in 2026 and whether guarantees can prevent renewed Russian advances.
- European willingness and capacity to assume a larger share of Ukraine's defence and economic support if US backing diminishes.
- not confirmed in the source: any definitive move by China to invade or forcibly change the status of Taiwan
Quick glossary
- NATO: A transatlantic military alliance formed in 1949 for collective defence of its member states.
- International Criminal Court (ICC): A permanent international tribunal that investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
- Undersea cables: Submarine fiber‑optic cables that carry the bulk of international internet and telecommunications traffic.
- Ceasefire: A temporary stoppage of hostilities agreed between warring parties, which may be a step toward a longer peace settlement.
Reader FAQ
Has John Simpson ever seen a year like 2025 before?
He says no; after reporting more than 40 wars since the 1960s, he describes 2025 as unusually worrying.
Are the casualty figures in Ukraine and Gaza confirmed?
The source cites the UN for Ukraine figures and Gaza's Hamas‑run health ministry for Gaza figures; the UN is said to consider the Gaza ministry's figures reliable, per the source.
Has the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin?
Yes — the source reports that the ICC has issued a warrant for Putin.
Will the US definitely stop defending Europe?
not confirmed in the source
John Simpson: 'I've reported on 40 wars but I've never seen a year like 2025' 3 hours ago Share Save John Simpson BBC world affairs editor BBC Sensitive content: This…
Sources
- John Simpson: 'I've reported on 40 wars but I've never seen a year like 2025'
- Sounding an Alarm about the Fate of the Homeless
- [H.A.S.C. No. 116-63] ALARMING INCIDENTS OF WHITE …
- Sonia Horon, US Assistant Showbiz Editor
Related posts
- Tor’s 2025 anti-censorship push: lessons from Iran and Russia
- Accused data thief threw MacBook into a river to destroy evidence
- NextDNS: My new favourite DNS service for privacy, blocking and speed