Looking back at top political events of 2018

World Today

Trump Kim imagaU.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un at the Capella resort on Sentosa Island Tuesday, June 12, 2018 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

As we reach the end of another newsworthy year, CGTN is taking a look back at 2018.

Here are some of the top “political” events that made headlines around the world.

CGTN’s Toby Muse reports.

2018 saw the historic summit between the United States and the DPRK, the first ever meeting between the two countries’ leaders.

Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un agreed that Singapore would host the talks, centered around the possible denuclearization of the DPRK. The two men promised further talks to lower the tension between the countries.

Other world leaders tried to calm tensions on the Korean Peninsula. China’s President Xi Jinping met with Kim.

“As a close neighbor to the peninsula, we will not allow any wars or riots on the peninsula. Nobody will benefit from it,” said Xi Jinping the Chinese President.

The Chinese Communist Party changed China’s constitution to remove the two-term limit on the presidency.

The world marked the 100th anniversary of the first World War. Ceremonies were held in Europe. It had been called the ‘war to end all wars.’ Continuing conflicts throughout the 20th century would emphatically disprove that notion.

Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal. Under its terms, Iran pledged to curb nuclear activities in return for the lifting of nuclear-related economic sanctions and freeing up of Tehran’s frozen assets. Trump had complained of the deal since running for president.

“In a few moments, I will sign a Presidential Memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail,” said Donald Trump U.S. President.

Politics in Latin America shifted to the right. Brazil elected the right-wing Jair Bolsonaro, a former military officer. Colombia elected Ivan Duque. There was a new face in control of Cuba. Miguel Diaz-Canel was elected president of Cuba, ending nearly sixty years of rule by the Castro brothers.

In the U.S., opposition Democrats stormed the mid-term elections, a rebuke for President Trump.

“But I think Nancy Pelosi. I think she deserves it. She’s fought long and hard. She’s a very capable person,” Trump said.

With the Democrats controlling the lower house of Congress, Trump could see much of his agenda slowed down in 2019 and be subject to much more oversight.

The U.S. moved its embassy to Jerusalem, delighting the Israeli government but angering Palestinians.

Russia and Turkey saw presidential elections that solidified existing powers.

Afghans turned out by the millions for parliamentary elections, despite the threat of violence.

Cyril Ramaphosa took office in South Africa following the resignation of Jacob Zuma.


Steve Pruitt discusses top political stories of 2018

CGTN’s Elaine Reyes spoke with Steve Pruitt, a managing partner at Watts Partners, a corporate and government affairs consulting company, about the top political stories of 2018.