What in the world will happen in 2023?

The sleeper story of the coming year will be Japan’s emergence as a major geopolitical actor. And, for the first time since the fall of the Shah in 1979, the future of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be in serious doubt.

Iranians protest the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Protests against the regime are likely to gain traction against the backdrop of worsening economic deterioration. Picture: Middle East Images/AP

The American baseball player Lawrence 'Yogi' Berra is widely quoted as observing: “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” 

Whether or not he actually said it, the point is valid. Nevertheless, here are 10 predictions for the world for the year just getting under way.