They say ‘start as you mean to go on’, and if that’s true, anyone hoping the new year would bring in peace, cooperation and kindness might now be wondering if we can wind the clock back to 1 January and give it another go.

The turmoil that characterised 2025 has picked itself up, dusted off its jacket, and walked with purpose into the new year.

That new year is only a few weeks old, but the persistent challenges facing the world – tackling the climate crisis, ending the devastation in Gaza, defending the idea that international rules and institutions should matter, and more – are still........

© Pearls and Irritations