After a record-breaking 2021, the new year has started slowly but there is an upwards trend.
The world we find ourselves in a few months into 2022 is significantly different from that at the end of 2021. Russia has invaded and is seemingly committing war crimes in the European democracy of Ukraine, sending shockwaves through the western world and prompting Germany to change its foreign policy with a single speech by chancellor Scholz that will inevitably be studied by historians for many years to come. One of the reasons for Putin’s unprovoked war is his paranoia of an ever-expanding Nato, so it is ironic that the autocrat’s actions have led both Sweden and Finland to be openly considering membership of the military alliance – put-ting the organisation much closer to Russia’s territory.
Financial markets have struggled in this reality. Much of Europe – chief among them Germany – relies on Russia’s gas reserves to keep homes heated and industries manufacturing, and the invasion has pushed up…
Thierry Heles
Thierry Heles is the editor of Global University Venturing, host of the Beyond the Breakthrough interview podcast and responsible for the monthly GUV Gazette (sign up here for free).
