In the past years and decades, we in Europe were used to prosperity and peace. Now both seem to be in danger. The Russian attack on Ukraine and the dramatic developments in the Middle East have presented us with new geopolitical and geo-economic challenges. The global economy has barely recovered from the consequences of the Covid pandemic before it is threatened by new risks – be it supply difficulties, skills shortages or energy bottlenecks. In short, after 2022, the year of the „turning point,“ 2023 is also proving to be a year of crises, not just in Europe but worldwide.