Putin, Zelensky, Biden, and Xi on one cover: The Economist released an issue with forecasts for 2024

The Economist magazine released an issue of forecasts titled “The World on the Eve of 2024”. True to its traditions, the publication presented a cover resembling a geopolitical puzzle.

At the top of the illustration, Vladimir Zelensky and Vladimir Putin are depicted facing each other. Below them, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping are turned away from each other. In the center is a ballot box: in 2024, elections are set to take place in nearly 80 countries around the world, encompassing a significant portion of the global population. Elections are scheduled in Russia and the USA for their respective presidencies. In Ukraine, however, there is uncertainty on whether to hold them at Bankova Street (the presidential administration).

Zelensky and Putin are separated by an hourglass, with the bottom half filled with a significant amount of sand. This seems to hint that time for conflict resolution is running out or pressing one of the parties involved.

Above Putin’s head are depictions of the likely victor of the US elections, Donald Trump, and a dove symbolizing peace. Above Zelensky is a female profile and missiles.