After a year of upsets, what does 2017 have in store?

(18 Dec 2016) LEAD IN 2016 has been a year of upheavals and upsets that some would prefer to forget. So what can we expect in 2017? Will the year of the rooster change the world pecking order or will it be business as usual? While analysts are mixed on what lies ahead, one Chinese fortune teller says the world can expect "turmoil". STORY-LINE It was a result few people predicted, but one which will play a major role in shaping the year ahead. Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th US President will be held on January 20th and it's expected to draw people of all persuasions to Washington whether it's to celebrate or commiserate. His stunning election win sparked numerous protests, and it's provoked widespread speculation about the impact that some of his controversial campaign promises might have when he takes office in 2017. Chief U.S. Economist with S&P Global Ratings, Beth Ann Bovino says there's still some uncertainty over what path he will take. "In terms of the impact of the Trump presidency on growth, you have to keep in mind that right now campaign promises are just what they are, promises, they are not policies. So let's see what happens in terms of how they get through Congress and whether.. and basically what comes out at the end." If there are no major shocks to the economy, growth is expected to be around 2.5 percent and more interest rate rises are likely, according to Bovino. "If you look at the job gains now averaging around 180,000 per month for the year to date and the unemployment rate under 5 percent we have a rather strong jobs market, so in terms of pushing the unemployment rate down even further and strengthening the jobs market that might actually result in stronger inflation as well, making the fed likely having to move further," she says. In light of CIA accusations of Russian hacking, Trump's relations with the Kremlin will come into focus in January. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee plans to hold an open hearing that will examine possible Russian meddling in November's presidential election. Political analyst Masha Lipman says there are signs Moscow's relationship with Washington will thaw, but adds that both leaders are not giving much away just yet. "We used to say that Putin is unpredictable and keeps his intentions and his plans as secret. Now we have at least one more person, who is unpredictable and this is the president of the United States — President-elect at this point, but of course in 2017, he will become the president of the United States. We still know very little about his policies. His appointments leave many shocked and speechless even, shaking heads in disbelief. But what his policies are going to be is an open question." Lipman says the ongoing civil war in Syria means Trump and President Putin will need to make some tough choices. Syria has been torn apart by more than five years of war - at the moment both countries support different sides. Over the border, the Iraqi special forces are still battling the Islamic State group, also known as Daesh. UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon says that "Daesh is now failing and controls less than 10 percent of Iraqi territory." Political Sociology Professor at Future university in Cairo, Saeed Sadek says even if Daesh is eventually defeated, Iraq could still face many challenges. "The only problem for the Iraqi people is off course they have this ethnic and religion sectarian conflict may continue and erupt here and there from fanatics on both sides corruption and oil prices will also affect the Iraqi economy for 2017," he says. 2017 will also see Britain set the wheels in motion for its exit from the European Union. One thing's for certain, a busy 2017 awaits whatever way the compass points. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/1a845216242dc6b8464b2d89eb3b0b8f Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork