Crystal-ball gazing is a notoriously inexact science, so before getting to that, let's lessen the potential exposure to ridicule by starting with a roundup of the last 12 months' key trends and events in Asia.

1) Tacloban — In November, huge Typhoon Haiyan flattened this seaside town on the island of Leyte in the Philippines, claiming more than 6,100 lives. The human misery continues as a poverty-stricken area struggles to recover. It's a reminder of how vulnerable much of Asia remains to frequent natural disasters.

2) Xi Jinping — China has a new president, but early signs are negative. Hu Jintao, his predecessor, initially seemed like a reformer, but his era is mostly known for missed opportunities. He bequeathed a legacy of endemic corruption, political repression, widening disparities and slowing growth.