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Mapping the World

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Na rewersie mapy - Geopolityka

Then complex world of geopolitics broken down into ten minute, bite-sized chunks. You'll never sound uninformed at the dinner table ever again.

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The Geopolitics Programme

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In the wake of the Ukraine war, Central Asia is more than ever a strategically important region. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan have long since rediscovered their identity and historical roots since the end of the Soviet Union. What are the differences and similarities between these Central Asian countries, little known to the West?

Central Asia, a Global Crossroads

In the wake of the Ukraine war, Central Asia is more than ever a strategically important region.

Ever since ex-US President Barack Obama oriented US foreign policy towards Asia under the slogan "Pivot to Asia," Sino-US rivalry has come to the fore. Two major powers collide over trade, military might and diplomacy.

The Pacific: Centre of the World

Two major powers collide over trade, military might and diplomacy.

Are civil rights and liberties under pressure in the 21st century? The show explores the global balance of power between democrats and autocrats, namely the Western democratic model and Sino-Russian authoritarianism. Democratic, geopolitical and digital challenges will be crucial in tomorrow's world.

Fragile democracies

Are civil rights and liberties under pressure in the 21st century?

The fishing sector has not escaped globalisation and industrialisation. Fish from all oceans find their way onto our plates, but this has consequences for biodiversity and the depletion of fish stocks. To better understand what is happening in our oceans, we go on a world tour of fishing.

Globalised Fishing

To better understand what is happening in our oceans, we go on a world tour of fishing.

The fall of the USSR destabalised the Caucasus, which is being eyed up by three autocratic regimes: Russia, Turkey, and Iran. Each country jealously guards its interests in this oil and gas-rich region. 

The Caucasus: At the Crossroads of Europe and Asia

The fall of the USSR destabalised the Caucasus, which is being eyed up by three autocratic regimes: Russia, Turkey, and Iran

Thirty years after the end of apartheid, South Africa has still not overcome its many problems: Endemic violence, economic and racial inequalities, state corruption. However, the rainbow nation has a lot to offer: tourism, natural resources and a leadership role on the African continent.

South Africa and its Demons

At the crossroads between China and India is Indonesia, an archipelago bursting with potential. The biggest Muslim country in the world became a democracy after years of dictatorship. It successfully curbed threats from Islamic extremists and enjoys the most dynamic economy in the region. Indonesia could well become a major player in international politics.

Indonesia: An Archipelago With Potential

At the crossroads between China and India, is Indonesia, an archipelago bursting with potential

Ten years after Gaddafi's fall, what state is Libya in? There's the official government based in Tripoli that is recognised by the international community, and rival forces controlled by General Khalifa Haftar.

Libya: A Global Power Struggle

Ten years after Gaddafi's fall, what state is Libya in?

With France holding the European presidency and with presidential elections on the horizon, a focus on the French nation. An assessment of its economic, cultural and military influence in the world today.

France: Still a Major Power?

 An assessment of France's economic, cultural and military influence in the world today.

"Hard power" means economic, military, and demographic power; "soft power" means symbolic, cultural, and informational power. And now there is also "food power": the weaponised production of food. Wheat, one of the most consumed grains and traded on the stock exchange, has become a geopolitical issue.

The Weaponisation of Wheat

 Wheat, one of the most consumed grains and traded on the stock exchange, has become a geopolitical issue

Understanding geopolitics has never been more urgent. Mapping the World analyses Putin's unprecedented attack on Ukraine with a short history of relations between Russia and Ukraine. Political scientist Anna Colin Lebedev and the head of the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI), Thomas Gomart provide context.

Putin and Ukraine: What Next?

We put Putin's attack on Ukraine in context with a short history of relations between Russia and Ukraine

A focus on the world’s largest country by landmass. Russia is a major world power that excels in certain spheres but glaring inequality, major structural problems and Western sanctions mean it may struggle to keep up with other world powers.

Russia: Land of Contrasts

Places of learning, universities also have another role: to affirm the status of their countries and guarantee their cultural influence. Since the advent of global league tables, the struggle between universities vying for prestige has only intensified; especially between East and West.

Soft Power - Universities at War

Since the advent of global league tables, the struggle between universities vying for prestige has only intensified

We look at Argentina to understand why this country with multiple resources did not live up to its promise. The missed opportunities are numerous: over-investment in agriculture, a singular political model, inequality, and corruption.

Argentina: Country of Missed Opportunities

We look at Argentina to understand why this country with multiple resources did not live up to its promise

Qatar has long relied on football to increase its prestige, from buying French club Paris-Saint-Germain to sponsoring Barcelona. With TV rights selling for astronomical amounts, football is much more than just a sport.

Football Power Play

Since 2021, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping are rivals on the world stage with China now positioning itself to take the lead in all areas - economic, military, diplomatic, cultural and political.  An overview of the Sino-American competition to be world leader, which could be decisive for the 21st century.

USA vs China

An overview of the Sino-American competition to be world leader, which could be decisive for the 21st century.

The history of Europe since the end of the Second World War cannot be properly understood without taking into account immigration. Within countries, between European countries as well as from outside Europe, immigration has always been a hot topic.

A History of Immigration in Europe

From the North Sea to the Black Sea, the Rhine and the Danube form a link across Europe. Mapping the World navigates the history of the two longest rivers of the European Union.

Rhine and Danube: Two Rivers, Two Europes

Iraq in 2022: Will the emerging nation succeed in resisting foreign influence and from Iran in particular? What does the future hold for the Kurdish autonomous region? And will the USA ever really leave?

Iraq - A Sovereign Country?

Iraq in 2022: Will the emerging nation succeed in resisting influence from foreign powers, and from Iran in particular? 

Compared to neighboring Mali, Senegal appears to be quiet and stable. France, a former colonial power, maintains its place as its main partner, but others are now vying for a spot at the table: China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Indonesia and the United States.

Senegal and France: Allies?

France, a former colonial power, is Senegal's main partner, but others are now vying for a spot at the table

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With tensions high over Taiwan independence, how do the Chinese and the Americans measure up in influence and military might in the Pacific region?

Beijing-Washington: Tension over Taiwan

Mapping the World Essentials

Xi Jinping went to Hong Kong to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the handover and install the new governor, John Lee, who will bring Hong Kong even closer to Beijing. We take a look back at the story of this unique city full of dramatic landscapes and contradictions. It's about to become a Chinese city like any other.

Xi Jinping in Hong Kong

We take a look back at the story of this unique city full of dramatic landscapes and contradictions.

In Madrid, NATO member states spent two days discussing strategy. War has returned to the European continent, and the NATO family has closed ranks in the face of a common threat: Vladimir Putin. Sweden and Finland also want to join. But one NATO member is determined to rock the boat: Turkey.

Turkey, a Thorn in NATO's Side?

One NATO member is determined to rock the boat: Turkey.

The BRICS summit (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) organised by China, the G7 summit in the Bavarian Alps and the NATO summit in Madrid all happened at the same time. Let's take stock of these various international meetings and what they tell us about the new dividing lines.

BRICS, G7 and NATO: The Diplomatic Ballet

What a flurry of international diplomatic summits tells us about the shifting sands of modern geopolitics...

The EU has awarded Ukraine and Moldova candidate status for the two countries to eventually join the union. A focus on the history and current status of EU enlargement.

EU enlargement: A Delicate Balancing Act

As Lithuania stops Russia from transporting goods by train through its territory to Kaliningrad, a focus on the history of this singular Russian territory.

The Kaliningrad Affair

After Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Honduras, it is Colombia's turn to turn left with the election of economist and former guerrilla Gustavo Petro.

Latin America Shifts Left

A focus on how democracy is faring around the world. Do citizens who live in democracies adhere to democratic values?

Democracy Put to the Test

Olaf Scholz, Mario Draghi and Emmanuel Macron recently visited Kyiv in a show of support for Ukraine at war. Summary of the situation in Ukraine and Europe’s position on the conflict.

Scholz, Macron and Draghi in Kyiv

The port of Constanta in Romania has become a strategic military and commercial crossroads. With the ports on the Black Sea blocked by the Russians, there are only three options for transporting Ukrainian grain: railway, road... or the Danube river.

The Danube and Ukrainian Wheat

The British government is pursuing a controversial migration policy of sending foreign nationals that have illegally crossed the channel to Rwanda. What awaits them in a country 6,000 kilometres from London?

London - Kigali: Migrant Scandal

The British government is pursuing a controversial migration policy of sending foreign nationals that have illegally crossed the channel to Rwanda. 

6 January 2021: a group of pro-Trump activists stormed the Capitol, the symbol of US democracy. But this shocking event in Washington D.C really an attempted coup d’état? A guided tour of the sites of American power.

Assault on the Capitol

As Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 70 years on the throne, we take a look at the organisation that she heads, the Commonwealth.

Queen and Commonwealth

Bulgaria is highly dependent on Russian oil and gas and has been hit hard by the repercussions from the war in Ukraine. Focus on and often overlooked European nation.

Bulgaria Caught in the Middle

Despite opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, the EU embargo on Russian oil is now in place. Where can Europe get its oil from now?

EU Say No to Russian Oil

In June, July and August in Germany a 9-euro ticket has been introduced which is valid for nearly all public transport in Germany. Could measures like this be more common in the fight against climate change?

Climate Change: Shift to Rail?

With the pandemic, planes were grounded and travel was limited. The recovery in world travel remains uneven in May 2020 with COVID still affecting border controls. 

World Tourism: Is it back?

A tour of the Putin’s Moscow showing the major sites of government and financial power in the city of 12 million inhabitants.

Moscow: Putin's Fortress

In Afghanistan, the Taliban are now banning female journalists from appearing on air with their faces uncovered. This decision follows the announcement on 7 May that Afghan women are once again required to wear the full veil in public. 

Afghan Women Targeted

May 2022 has seen record temperatures in many places around the world. As heat waves become more frequent, the harmful effects on humans and the environment are ever more apparent.

Heatwaves in Spring

May 2022 has seen record temperatures in many places around the world. 

Regular bite-sized shorts focusing on different aspects of the war in Ukraine from a geopolitical perspective.

A special series of Mapping the World focusing on the geopolitics of the coronavirus pandemic.