Von der Weltmacht zum Weltkrisenherd

The Decline of a World Power: It was a time of deep economic and social crisis when, from March 1990 to December 1991, former Soviet republics, including their regions, declared independence: the end of the Soviet Union. Arbitrary border delineations often followed. These conflict zones have smoldered since then and flare up repeatedly—largely under the radar of Western reporting. Ethnic groups are striving for sovereignty from the newly formed states: Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan, South Ossetia and Abkhazia from Georgia, Transnistria from Moldova. Pro-Russian forces on the ground often support this, directed by Moscow. This was the case in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine—and ultimately led to war.

Journalist and Moscow correspondent Jo Angerer explains the historical backgrounds of the conflict regions in post-Soviet territory, their impacts up to the present day, and explores what the West must do better diplomatically. He travels to border regions, speaks with experts, eyewitnesses, and people who have fled from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including Ukrainians and Russians—who now find themselves in other conflict zones. The former Soviet Union has transformed from a world power into a global crisis hotspot. What needs to happen to prevent future wars?.