Today is day 167 of my exile.
Exile 167.
Nineteen sixty-seven stands in a phase of tense stability. The world is shaped by bloc confrontation, yet the front lines are beginning to shift. Military power, economic interests, and ideological safeguards are intertwined. Decisions emerge from long prehistories and mutual distrust.
In the Federal Republic, the Grand Coalition shapes everyday political life. Security, order, and the state’s capacity to act are emphasized more strongly, while parts of society demand greater participation. The death of Benno Ohnesorg during a demonstration in Berlin acts as a catalyst for a broader protest movement. Domestic political debates intertwine with international conflicts.
In the GDR, the leadership consolidates its position within the socialist bloc. Economic reform efforts are intended to secure performance without relinquishing political control. The distinction from the Federal Republic remains central, while dependence on alliance partners continues to grow. Stability is administered, not negotiated.
Internationally, existing conflicts intensify. The Six-Day War permanently alters the balance of power in the Middle East. The Vietnam War ties up resources and polarizes societies far beyond the region. In Europe, national interests block closer integration while diplomatic room for maneuver becomes increasingly constrained.
Nineteen sixty-seven reveals a world that responds to movement without certainty of direction. Power politics, fear of losing control, and the desire for order shape the actions of many states. Change is emerging, but it arises from tension, not from unity.
Exile 167
1967 is a year of tension. In East and West, stability is sought and simultaneously questioned. Globally, conflicts shift the balance of power.
Exile Chronicle
All previous (from 130 – earlier entries are on X/Twitter) and ongoing entries of my Exile Chronicle are collected and documented here:
👉 https://marlas.army/exil-chronik/
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