From the end of a historic conflict to the beginning of another, one of the most controversial Olympic games since the 1979 Moscow Olympics, economic ramifications from the Covid-19 pandemic, and Covid’s sluggish remission, the 2021-2022 school year most definitely had a score of news stories worth remembering. Some of the most historic events of the second decade occurred within this school year’s parameters and their effects will weigh heavily on events both now and in the future. 

1) Russia vs Ukraine: 

Widely regarded as the second most historic event to take place in the 2020’s which has thrown Eastern Europe into turmoil and turned most of Ukraine into a warzone. 

Vladimir Putin has been demonized across most western nations for his role behind perpetrating the invasion, which western leaders denounce as unprovoked and unjustified. In response to these allegations, CNBC.com stated, “Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a chilling warning to the West, saying any country which tried to ‘interfere’ would face immediate consequences.” 

The conflict persists with no foreseeable termination at the time of this writing.

2) U.S. Withdraws From Afghanistan: 

After almost two decades of omnipresence, the U.S. completed the long-awaited action to withdraw all of the remaining troops out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021. This allowed the remnants of the Taliban regime to retake the country. 

There is an international worry that the traditionalist government will deny women many of the rights that women in western nations have and undo progress that women have made in the Taliban’s absence. 

Elaborating on this, npr.org stated, “Well, fast forward to today. Girls are banned from school after sixth grade. Women cannot board planes without a male relative. But the policies are not being implemented consistently.”

3) 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics: 

The Feb. 4-20, 2022 Beijing winter Olympics were predicted to be and indeed were very controversial with China’s history of human rights abuses conflicting with its desire for self-promotion. 

Some discussed boycotting the Olympics due to China’s poor human rights record.  CNN. com stated, “The US, UK and Canada declared a diplomatic boycott, along with India, Australia, Lithuania, Kosovo, Belgium, Denmark and Estonia. They have all sent athletes, but no ministers or officials are attending.”

Chinese Covid restrictions remain in place, and athletes are kept as isolated as possible in order to prevent the spread during the games. Athletes are tested daily via PCR testing to ensure they are not unknowingly carrying and spreading the virus should they contract it.

4) The Battle with Inflation:

One of the many detriments of the Covid-19 pandemic, inflation hit a 40 year record high at the beginning of 2022. Both gas and goods have become considerably more expensive and a larger part of Americans’ budget and wages have not yet been able to catch up. 

On the causes of the inflation, nbcnews.com stated that “Supply chain issues, surging demand, production costs, and swaths of relief funds all have a role to play.” Additionally, politicians also point fingers at the many stimulus packages that were distributed throughout 2021.

5) Covid Winds Down:

Covid restrictions and mask mandates have seen a decline in the transition from 2021 to 2022 along with a decline in infection rates and deaths as the pandemic reaches its second year. 

The percentage of fully vaccinated Americans passed the 60% mark at the end of 2021, according to cidrap.umn.edu “63.9% of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, 75.4% have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 41.8% of vaccinated Americans have received a booster dose.” 

Experts warn that covid cases could surge in the summer months, better facilitated by the present lessening of restrictions.