Middle East11 min read
Why Nobody Can Conquer Yemen
Rome, the Ottomans, Egypt and a Saudi-led coalition all marched into Yemen. None held it for good. The mountains, the sea gate below them and the bargains that rule both explain why.
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The written version of every Theatre of Power video: the argument, the maps and every source.
Europe11 min read
Why Russia Doesn’t Want Ukraine in NATO
Moscow has called NATO's eastward growth a threat since at least 2007, and it calls Ukraine a red line. Here is Russia's case, the answers from Kyiv and NATO, the record from Bucharest to Ankara, and where the bid stands in today's peace talks.
Africa9 min read
Why Everyone Suddenly Wants Eritrea
Eritrea is one of the most closed countries on earth. Yet within weeks Washington lifted its sanctions, Ethiopia broke off relations and Egypt drew it into a new bloc. The reason is on the map: more than 1,000 km of Red Sea coast.
Americas9 min read
Why Trump Wants the Panama Canal
Donald Trump says China runs the Panama Canal and that the United States is taking it back. Here is what he wants, how Panama and China have answered, and what has actually changed.
Americas9 min read
Why Trump Wants Greenland
Donald Trump says America must own Greenland, an island of about 57,000 people in the Kingdom of Denmark. The map explains why, and the September 2026 deal shows what Washington actually got.
Europe9 min read
Why Does Russia Own Kaliningrad?
Until 1945, Kaliningrad was the German city of Königsberg, founded by crusading knights almost 700 years earlier. Here is how it became Russian, why it is cut off from the rest of Russia, and why it now sits at the centre of Moscow's warnings to NATO.
Asia-Pacific12 min read
Why Does China Want Taiwan?
Beijing calls Taiwan an inalienable part of China and says 'reunification' is unstoppable. Here is the history, the strategy and the geography behind the claim, and why Taipei, Washington and Tokyo see it differently.
Europe9 min read
Why Did Sweden Join NATO After 200 Years of Neutrality?
Sweden stayed out of military alliances for two centuries. Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed its mind in weeks, but getting into NATO took almost two years.
Africa9 min read
Why Turkey Wants Somalia: A New Ottoman Empire?
In 15 years, Turkey has gone from famine aid in Mogadishu to a training base, warships, F-16s, a deep-water oil well and a spaceport. Here is why Turkey wants Somalia, what Somalia gets, and whether the new Ottoman empire label fits.
Europe10 min read
Svalbard: Why Norway’s Arctic Islands Matter to Russia and NATO
A 1920 treaty makes Svalbard Norwegian but open to the citizens of dozens of countries, and it limits military use. That is why a Russian mining town and NATO's northern sea lanes meet on these Arctic islands.
Europe10 min read
The Suwałki Gap: NATO’s Weakest 65 Kilometres
A 65 km strip of lakes and farmland between Kaliningrad and Belarus is the only land link between NATO's Baltic members and the rest of the alliance. Moscow sees the same strip as Kaliningrad's missing link.
Africa11 min read
Sudan’s War Explained: Who Is Fighting and Why
Since April 2023, Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have fought for control of the country. Here is who they are, how the war began, who backs each side and why every truce has failed.