December 1 — East Asia/North America: MYANMAR/UNITED STATES
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pays an official visit to Myanmar for the first time since 1955. She meets with the country’s president, Thein Sein, and commends the recent reforms, saying that as long as they continue relations between Myanmar and the United States will improve. Hillary Clinton also meets with opposition and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
December 2 — Latin America
A summit of a new Latin American bloc, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), takes place in Venezuela. CELAC, which does not include the United States and Canada, but includes Cuba, is meant to counter the U.S. influence in the region.
December 4 — East Asia: JAPAN
Japan says that contaminated water from the damaged Fukusima nuclear plant leaked into the sea. The plant was crippled as a result of the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
December 5 — Europe: RUSSIA
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party suffers a setback in parliamentary elections. Garnishing less than 50 percent of the votes, it loses its two thirds majority, which would allow the unilateral changing of the constitution, but will still keep its simple majority. The vote is seen as a referendum on Putin’s popularity who will run in the March presidential elections. International election observers report many irregularities and violations, including stuffing of ballot boxes. Tens of thousands of people come out into the streets in the biggest anti-government protests since the fall of the Soviet Union, demanding new elections.
December 6 — Europe: BELGIUM
Belgium swears in a new government, ending a political deadlock lasting a record of 541 days. A six-party coalition will be headed by French-speaking Socialist Elio di Rupo. The deadlock was caused by disputes over budget, immigration, and distribution rights between the French-speaking and Flemish groups.
December 16 — Europe: ITALY
The Italian parliament approves Prime Minister Mario Monti’s $43 billion package of austerity measures, which includes tax increases, spending cuts, and pension reforms. The move aims at balancing the country’s budget by 2013. Mario Monti took over as interim prime minister after Silvio Berlusconi was criticized for handling a worsening national debt crisis and was forced to step down. He will stay in office until new elections in 2012.
December 18 — Europe: CZECH REPUBLIC
Former Czech President Vaclav Havel dies at age 75. Havel was the opposition leader who led to the overthrow of communism in then-Czechoslovakia in1989, the event that became known as the Velvet Revolution. After the breakup of Czechoslovakia, he became the president of the Czech Republic from 1993 to 2003.
December 19 — East Asia: NORTH KOREA
The long-time leader of the hermit country of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, dies of a heart attack at the age of 69 after 17 years in power. North Korea’s neighbors are put on high alert amid worries of instability in North Korea. Kim Jong-il’s youngest son, Kim Jong-un, is a designated successor by his father and appointed Chairman of the National Defense Commission. He is expected to take over as the leader of the ruling party.
December 21 — Africa: EGYPT
The Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) wins the largest number of votes in Egypt’s first post-Mubarak parliamentary elections followed by the hardline Salafist Nour party. The Muslim Brotherhood was banned during the 30-year Mubarak rule.
December 22 — Middle East: IRAQ
At least 68 people are killed and scores injured in 16 coordinated attacks across Iraq in mostly Shia areas. Al-Qaeda in Iraq claims responsibility. The attacks come just after the United States completed its troop pullout. Iraq’s Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi blames Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for the recent surge in violence. Hashemi, who is the country’s prominent Sunni politician, has been in hiding subject to an arrest warrant on terrorist charges issued by Prime Minister Maliki. He denies the charge. In his support, the main Sunni political party al-Iraqiya boycotts the parliament and the cabinet, threatening the future of the unity government.
December 25 — Africa: NIGERIA
A series of Christmas Day bomb attacks across Nigeria kill as many as 40 people and injure many more. The Islamist militants called Boko Haram claim responsibility. The targeted places are Mandalla near the capital of Abuja, the central city of Jos, the northern Yobe state, and the towns of Damaturu and Gadaka. The Boko Haram is a jihadist terrorist organization that unleashed a campaign of violence in 2009 in an effort to impose the Sharia law on the entire country.
December 28 — Europe: BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s leaders reach an agreement on the formation of the central government after 14 months of political deadlock. Deep divisions between the country’s Muslim, Croatian, and Serbian political leaders were the reason that Bosnia had no government since the general elections in 2010. As a result of the agreement, the post of the prime minister will go to a Bosnian Croat while the post of the foreign minister will go to a Bosnian Muslim. The parties also agree on a budget.
December 30 — Europe: SPAIN
Spain’s new conservative government led by Mariano Rajoy announces the first stage of new austerity measures of $21.5 billion, aiming at reducing the public deficit. The cuts will be implemented in 2012, and they will include employment and wage freezes in public sector jobs and raising taxes on wealthiest citizens. Spain has the highest unemployment rate in Europe, reaching 21 percent.