Episode 73: 2022—A Year in Review

As 2022 draws to a close, AICGS President Jeff Rathke, AICGS Senior Fellow and Director of Society, Culture, and Politics Program Eric Langenbacher and AICGS Non-Resident Senior Fellow Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger take a look back at the most significant events of 2022 and their impact on German domestic as well as foreign and security policy. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine introduced the “Zeitenwende,” – a reckoning of German politics with its foreign policy mistakes toward Russia, and a pledge to strengthen its defense capabilities and address structural imbalances in its economic model. Delivering on that promise remains a major challenge. Public support for Ukraine has remained high, even as the German government has grappled with avoiding an energy crisis and a recession. At the same time, Germany must lead in building new coalitions in the EU to address the urgent demands arising from an upended European political, economic, and security order. Domestically, the three-party coalition has faced a tough year of crisis management, with ambivalent public support and no clear alternative emerging. Our host Jeff Rathke has spoken with leading American and German experts on all these issues and more throughout the year on The Zeitgeist Podcast. Listen to their discussions as you settle in to enjoy your holiday break. AICGS wishes you a happy holiday season and einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr. See you again soon in 2023! Host Jeff Rathke, President, AICGS Guest Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger, AICGS Non-Resident Senior Fellow Eric Langenbacher, AICGS Senior Fellow; Director, Society, Culture & Politics Program