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Influential People/Groups of 2015

This article exhibits certain people/groups that influenced the course of 2015 for the U.S. and abroad.

By Michael Beauregard

January 6^th, 2016

THE ISLAMIC STATE

Placing the world in fear, the Islamic State made its true mark on the world in 2015.

While most of the fighting concerned with IS has occurred in the Middle East, it has brought terror to people across the world. From the terrorist attacks in Paris and Tunisia, to the downing of a Russian plane over the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, IS has shown that it will use terrorism to achieve its goals.

DONALD TRUMP

One of the most controversial figures in American politics, Donald Trump made waves in the United States in 2015.

The billionaire real estate magnate has become the front runner for the GOP nomination for the presidency, and has been both lauded and criticized for his remarks about Syrian refugees and Mexican immigrants. Because of these remarks, a petition signed by more than a half million Britons requests that Donald Trump be barred entry to the United Kingdom.

François Hollande

Hollande faced the looming threats of terrorism and increased immigration due to strife in the Middle East. His administration had to help recover France from the attacks on the offices of Charlie Hebdo in January, and again in November when 129 people were killed in other Paris attacks. Following these attacks, he moved to make strikes against IS-held territory in the Middle East, destroying vital arms suppliers in Raqqa, IS’ capital.

Raúl Castro

Cuban President Raúl Castro (in coalition with U.S. President Barack Obama) helped reopen the diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. He authorized the reopening of the Cuban Embassy in Washington and the US Embassy in Havana, true signs of normalizing relations between the two countries. Such normalization could lead to an influx of tourist dollars from American tourists and the introduction of more political and economic rights to Cubans.

Bernie Sanders

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders certainly proved his worth in 2015 when he announced that he would be running for the US Presidency. That isn’t very “odd” per se, senators often do run for president (Prior to his current position, Barack Obama was a senator for Illinois). It is the fact that he is a self-proclaimed socialist that sets him apart. While he isn’t the first presidential candidate to run as a socialist (That title goe to Eugene Debbs, who ran as a Socialist in 1912 and got 6% of the vote), he has certainly been making a major impact. His campaign promises include free college tuition, a $15 federal minimum wage, and to enact laws that prevent LGBT discrimination.

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