Elise's (and the world's) Year of Polycrisis
A convergence of crises in 2023 made the holidays seem less joyful this year
I don’t personally celebrate Christmas. I still, however, enjoy the holiday season for all its, as the song goes, “tidings of comfort and joy.” Food, Family, Friends. Parties. Eggnog. Mistletoe. I love it all.
But this year, I just didn’t feel it. I went to Arizona a few weeks ago to visit my mom, who has been battling some health problems. It’s always wonderful to see her and I cherished our time together, but it’s also heartbreaking to see her struggle.
The real suck kicked in when her caregiver told us she was leaving with a week's notice. Then her sister, who lives nearby and is considered my mom’s “emergency” person, fell and broke her pelvis and is in the hospital. All on the eve of my flight back to Washington.
In the span of a week, my family is experiencing what experts call a polycrisis. It was the buzzword at Davos last January which speaks to an overwhelming convergence of global challenges in an interconnected world that is thoughtfully explained here by
. I call it a shitshow inside a dumpster fire.When it got to be too much and I crumbled in a ball on my bed, my mom, ever the optimist, hugged me and said, “Elise, we will be okay. We don’t live in Gaza. Or Ukraine.”
She’s right, of course. As a journalist who has traveled the world and witnessed countless scenes of crisis, tragedy and heartbreak, I’m usually the one reminding friends and family about their “first world problems.” And I’m normally pretty good at dealing with my own.
But this year is different. Even before my own family problems crept up on me, I have been feeling...defeated. The war in Gaza has me particularly heartbroken, as I wrote here and here. But I’m also concerned about what is happening to our country. (To help me break down domestic politics, I rely on
and )I am not alone. Many of my friends and colleagues have also admitted that 2023 had them feeling worn down by everything going on. I think, just like the Labott family, the world is also in polycrisis. It’s like everything that could go wrong decided to go wrong everywhere all at once. (Like the movie!) Or in keeping with the holiday theme, it's as if every global issue decided to throw a party...but not the fun kind.
On that note, below are some thoughts on the global stories and issues that, IMHO, shaped 2023. I didn’t offer an epic novel on each one, but it should be enough to get you through a holiday party. I hope it helps break down this chaotic year.
Middle East Meltdown: The Middle East, a simmering pot for decades, boiled over in 2023. The Gaza conflict, alongside the growing tensions involving Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, expanded the region's conflict map. It's like a complex, historical jigsaw puzzle, where every piece adds to the instability. I’ve written a lot about the war in the past few months and will continue to in the new year – but one thing is for sure: it’s not going in a positive direction. US officials were hoping that Israel would be wrapping up its intensive military operations in Gaza over the next few weeks, but recent comments by Prime Minister Netanyahu and his top security officials suggest a longer, and bloodier, campaign.
Ukraine Grinds On: Europe's peace was shattered, with Ukraine becoming the epicenter of a renewed debate on European security. This wasn't just a regional skirmish; it was a global wake-up call, shaking up international relations, energy markets, and global food supplies. As the debate on U.S. aid to Ukraine gets pushed into 2024, it’s pretty clear the war is reaching a stalemate and calls for diplomatic negotiations will only grow louder. (For more geopolitical news on Ukraine, I go to
by) and for the gut-wrenching, yet beautifully written human stories about the people in Ukraine, I read )China and the United States: Shaky Titans: These economic juggernauts faced their own internal tremors and external shocks. China, grappling with an economic slowdown and the aftermath of its zero-COVID policy, raised eyebrows globally. Back in the USA, political polarization and social divisions cast shadows over our role as a global leader. And the Biden-Xi meeting in San Francisco? A diplomatic dance that was more about keeping up appearances than making groundbreaking strides. (That’s just my 10,000-foot snapshot. For anything I want to know about China that can’t fit on a bumper sticker, I read
by and you should too)Climate Change: The Planet's SOS: Our planet sent distress signals in 2023 – wildfires in Maui, earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Each natural disaster rang alarm bells louder than before, underlining the harsh reality of climate change.
The global response, while earnest, often seemed like trying to douse a wildfire with a teacup. COP28, with its ambitions and breakthroughs, showed a glimmer of collective resolve, but the battle against fossil fuels felt like an uphill struggle.
Economic Roller Coaster: Global inflation surged this year, driven by a combination of factors including pandemic-induced disruptions, the Ukraine conflict affecting energy and food prices, and supply chain challenges.
And it hit us where it hurts – the wallet. It's like everyone's bank account went on a forced diet. We may be coming out of it, but the economic strain has led to social unrest and a real test of resilience for governments worldwide.
Artificial Intelligence: Tech's Pandora's Box: AI continued to dazzle and daunt, thanks in part to OpenAI's ChatGPT. It sparked a global tech race but also sounded alarm bells over potential misuse. While AI offers tremendous potential for growth and innovation, it also poses ethical dilemmas and security concerns, as nations race to harness its power. Governments worldwide wrestled with the challenge of keeping this tech genie in a bottle with regulation. Good luck with that! (For a fun AI primer, check out
by )The Rising Voice of the Global South: 2023 witnessed the global south stepping up. India, under Modi's leadership, pushed global south perspectives onto the world stage through summits and forums, such as the BRICS and G-20. There is a growing recognition of the interconnectedness and importance of these regions in shaping future global policies, but it’s also signifying a shift in the global order – a cautious exploration of new alliances and a questioning of old ones.
So it may not be the textbook use of the word, but I argue we did have a year of policycrisis, where the cumulative effect of these conflicts and economic challenges has led to a pervasive sense of unease and uncertainty. The interconnected nature of these crises means that a conflict or crisis in one part of the world can have ripple effects globally, impacting economies, politics, and societies far beyond their origin. We are there, people.
The need for forward-thinking global cooperation and comprehensive strategies that consider the interconnectedness of conflicts, economic pressures, and environmental issues has never been more apparent. Yet global leaders seemed to be playing catch-up, always a step behind the rapidly unfolding events. The rest of us? We’re left navigating this new normal where uncertainty is the only certainty.
I will offer some thoughts later this week looking ahead to 2024. And maybe some bright spots of good news from 2023. In the meantime, I hope this last week of the season brings you tidings of comfort and joy.
Loose Change: Forgotten Conflicts and Sad SDGs
Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Sudan – these crises didn't disappear just because the headlines did. They continued to simmer, reminding us of the need for a concerted global response.
never loses of these forgotten conflicts and Hollie writes beautifully about them.Halfway to the deadline for the UN’s 2030 Agenda, we are leaving more than half the world behind. Progress on more than half of the targets of poverty, hunger, and climate is considered either weak or insufficient – and in some areas stalled or going in reverse. As the interim UN report says, “Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda risks becoming an epitaph for a world that might have been.”
Such a great article and keeping us grounded. You continue to bring truth, insight and inspiration.