SA 10th on Time list of biggest threats to world
SOUTH Africa has made it on to a new Time magazine list of the world’s top 10 yesterday‚ but not in a good way.
The list sets out the biggest risks on the planet this year‚ and “a struggling South Africa” features at No 10.
Political risk consultancy Eurasia Group’s Ian Bremmer writes: “The deeply unpopular President Jacob Zuma‚ beset by corruption allegations‚ is afraid to pass power to someone he does not trust.
“The resulting infighting over succession stalls any momentum toward crucial economic reform in the country and limits South Africa’s ability to offer leadership needed to stabilise conflicts inside neighbouring countries.”
Top of Time’s list is the unpredictability thrust on the world by the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president later this month.
“The world’s sole superpower was once the international trump card‚ imposing order to force compromise and head off conflict, Bremmer said. “Now it’s a wildcard‚ because instead of creating policies designed to bolster global stability‚ President Trump will use US power overwhelmingly to advance US interests‚ with little concern for the broader impact.”
The second greatest risk is China’s possible overreaction to Trump provocations.
“The sheer number of places where US-China tensions might play out – North Korea‚ Taiwan‚ Hong Kong‚ the East and South China Seas – make 2017 a dangerous year for China‚ and all who depend on it for growth
Zuma is afraid to pass power to someone he does not trust
and stability.” Next is the risk of a power vacuum in Europe.
“Strong leadership from [German chancellor] Angela Merkel has proven indispensable for Europe’s ability to manage crisis‚” Bremmer wrote.
“Unfortunately‚ though Merkel is likely to win re-election as Germany’s chancellor‚ she’ll emerge as a weakened figure. It will leave Europe with no strong leadership‚ at a time when strong leaders are badly needed.”
The rest of the list is economic slumps‚ technology disrupting the Middle East‚ politics interfering with central banks‚ the White House v Silicon Valley‚ Turkey’s ongoing crackdown and North Korea. – TMG Digital