The Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022 marked what Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls a “turning point”. SZ political chief Stefan Kornelius says: “The word was very well chosen.”
The war changed our lives forever. The year 2022 was of course marked by this war and its impact on people around the world. As a result of the war, Germany had to deal with an energy crisis and extremely high inflation, among other things. Kornelius says that the federal government has to be given credit for having switched to crisis mode “from the start”. It was understood that this was an existential threat to all of us. But: “To this day we are still struggling with the question: What does a turning point actually mean?”
For Kornelius, an end to the war is currently not in sight: “Wars often end in exhaustion. This war could also end in exhaustion.” Putin does not make friends as an aggressor – but Russia is still not ready to give up the logic of war and still has enormous fighting power ready.
In addition, people in Iran have protested for freedom and against oppression and discrimination – and to this day have not been intimidated by the regime’s crackdown on the demonstrations. Kornelius sees it as a symbol for the whole year: “There is this desire for freedom all over the world.” He hopes that this year marks the beginning of the end of the populist era.
The editorial deadline for this program was Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 6 p.m.
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Moderation, editing: Tami Holderried
Editors: Vinzent-Vitus Leitgeb, Johannes Korsche
Production: Benjamin Markthaler
Additional audio via Reuters, BBC News, phoenix, IranWire, Youtube (PresidentGovUA)
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