Future historians may come to regard 2022 as a hinge in history, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another. Major war returned to Europe, with the attendant threats of nuclear strikes, and the door closed firmly shut on the US policy of strategic engagement with China. Yes, the past twelve months did bring some good news. Most notably, the Covid-19 pandemic eased in many countries. But overall, 2022 brought more bad news than good news.