Bold 2014 Predictions

It's that time of the year when people make predictions about the coming year. I'll join in the fun, foreseeing the future on matters serious and silly alike.

• As the roll-out of Obamacare progresses, most people will see that its positive aspects far outweigh its shortcomings. Despite this, Republicans will make gains in the election in November, strengthening their hold on the House of Representatives and gaining 2-3 Senate seats, which is not enough for a majority.
• In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, violence will increase, but will not amount to a third Intifadah. 
• In Israeli politics, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and her HaTnuah party will leave the coalition due to a lack of progress in negotiations with Palestinians and Netanyahu's evident disinterest in reaching any deal. Finance Minister Yair Lapid will threaten to do the same with his Yesh Atid party, but a lack of backbone coupled with the fear of losing half of their seats if an early election were to be called will lead to Lapid staying in the government. "Without us, the government would be even more extreme," would be their excuse.
• The Syrian Civil War, which has already started spilling over to Lebanon, will lead to a new civil war in the small country. Both conflicts will have no end in sight by the end of the year.
• At the Winter Olympics in Sochi, sports will be overshadowed by protests against the autocratic regime of Vladimir Putin, including, but not limited to, his persecution of gays. Russia will win the medal race, but who cares. Most people only consider Summer Games as "real Olympics".
• The Soccer World Cup in Brazil will be won by the host country. It will be a South American final after Brazil defeats Germany in one semi-final and Argentina defeats the Netherlands in the other.
• At the Oscars, Tom Hanks and Matthew McConaughey will compete against each other in two different categories: Supporting Actor ("Saving Mr. Banks" vs. "The Wolf of Wall Street") and Lead Actor ("Captain Phillips" vs. "Dallas Buyers Club"). However, they will lose to actors from "12 Years a Slave" - Best Supporting Actor Michael Fassbender and Best Lead Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor.