What trends are likely to garner media attention in 2008?

Prognostication is a risky business – ask any economist. But Monitor editors and reporters have come up with eight global themes for readers to keep an eye on this year. They range from the Summer Olympics in China – a double-edged sword for the rising giant to the outlook for oil prices, national and international leadership changes, what's next on the global-warming agenda, and where peace might break out among key global flash points.

A look ahead at 2008

1: Why the era of cheap food is over

2: Global elections watch: All eyes on US race

3: Global flash points: How to spot signs of peace

4: As oil passes $100, the question: will it stop?

5: China's Olympian year

6: Iraq: A year of Transition?

7: Will nations build on climate-change momentum of 2007?

8: How a credit crunch may hurt the world economy

Part 1 | Food

REUTERS

12.31.07

Why the era of cheap food is over

Corn, milk, bread, and other farm products hit record high prices in 2006 – and will likely keep rising in 2008.

» GRAPHIC: Rising meat, dairy, and grain prices

Part 2 | Elections

Andy Nelson – STAFF

01.02.08

Global elections watch: All eyes on US race

Who would foreigners like to see at the helm of the world's superpower – a Republican or Democrat?

Part 3 | Conflicts

Sebastian Scheiner/AP

01.03.08

Global flash points: How to spot signs of peace

Monitor correspondents and experts suggest what to watch for in eight international conflicts.

Audio Report:

Christa Case Bryant

Part 4 | Oil

REUTERS/Claudia Daut

01.04.08

As oil passes $100, the question: will it stop?

If the global economy slows, oil prices will fall. But probably not until after March.

Part 5 | The Olympics and China

Andy Wong/AP

01.07.08

The Olympics in China: a moment for pride - and world scrutiny

Chinese officials are treating the Games as proud confirmation of their country's emergence as a global force to be reckoned with.

Part 6 | Iraq

Mushtaq Muhammad/Reuters

01.08.08

As violence ebbs, the next hurdle for Iraq is political progress

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has vowed to capitalize on security gains to revive the political process in the coming year.

Part 7 | Climate change

Michael Kappeler/AP

01.09.08

Will nations build on climate-change momentum of 2007?

In 2008, expect developing nations to play a more active role in negotiations for the post-Kyoto Protocol period.

Audio Report:

Reporter Peter N. Spotts

Part 8 | Economy

Toby Melville/Reuters

01.10.08

How a credit crunch may hurt the world economy

As troubles in the US housing market ripple across the global economy, the health of banks has become one of the biggest financial uncertainties for 2008.