Yuval Noah Harari: The war in Ukraine could change everything

The war in Ukraine could change everything

Concerned about the war Ukraine? You're not alone. Historian Yuval Noah Harari provides important context on the Russian invasion, including Ukraine's long history of resistance, the specter of nuclear war and his view of why, even if Putin wins all the military battles, he's already lost the war. (This conversation, hosted by TED global curator Bruno Giussani, was part of a TED Membership event on March 1, 2022. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member.)

The invasion of Ukraine signals not just a regional crisis, but a turning point for the world order, threatening decades of hard-won peace. Ukrainians, once expected to surrender, are fiercely resisting—throwing Molotov cocktails instead of flowers. The shock waves are already shifting global budgets, reigniting nuclear fears, and forcing nations to reconsider alliances. What happens in Ukraine could influence everything from climate action to the stories nations tell themselves for generations.

Putin’s War Revives Global Dangers And Redefines Resistance