Le Dessous des cartes

Mit offenen Karten

Mapping the World

El revés de los mapas

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.

collection_content

The Geopolitics Programme

collection_videos

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

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

The ruling junta renamed Burma Myanmar, claiming it was a way of erasing the country's British colonial past. But the deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi still defends the name Burma. This episode of Mapping the World looks at this ethically diverse country influenced by both India and China.

Myanmar: The Junta and the Democratic Dream

This episode of Mapping the World looks at this ethically diverse country influenced by both India and China

The two main cocoa-producing countries - Ivory Coast and Ghana - aren't reaping the rewards of a growing global taste for sweet treats. On the one hand there are multinational corporations that control the entire value chain, on the other, small cocoa producers trying to support their families.

Cacao: Who Profits from Chocolate?

The main cocoa-producing countries - Ivory Coast and Ghana - aren't reaping the rewards of growing global demand

A region of Europe with a shared experience of communism and USSR dominance, Eastern Europe today is characterised by nations with diverse cultural and political identities.

How many Eastern Europes?

How we represent our world in maps depends on our perspective. For many centuries Europeans have put their continent in the centre and on top of their maps, the Chinese likewise placed the Middle Kingdom in the centre of things. What do our maps tell us about our worldview?

Cartography: How We Represent the World

For centuries Europeans have put their continent in the centre of their maps, the Chinese likewise placed the Middle Kingdom in the centre of things. What do our maps tell us about our worldview?

Warfare has evolved with the professionalisation of armies, the refusal of public opinion to see their soldiers sacrifice their lives in distant lands, and the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, robots and other drones.

21st Century Warfare

Warfare has evolved into high tech drone strikes and robo-armies, and it's a gamechanger for global geopolitics

All videos

collection_subcollection

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

Mapping the World Essentials

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. 

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

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?

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. 

The Lebanese parliamentary elections have returned independent 13 MPS coming from the October 2019 social movement. Could Lebanon be finally moving on from a rigid political structure based on religious ties?

Hope for Lebanon?

The Lebanese parliamentary elections have returned independent 13 MPS.. Could Lebanon be finally moving on from a rigid political structure based on religious ties?

Mali’s military junta has announced that it has foiled a coup d'état led "by Malian army officers, supported by the West". Since then, numerous arrests have been reported as relations with the West deteriorates.

Mali: End of an Era?

In an historic turnaround, Sweden and Finland want to join NATO thus ending their decades-long neutrality. The war in Ukraine has reawakened fears of the Russian neighbour.

Finland and Sweden Opt for NATO

In an historic turnaround, Sweden and Finland want to join NATO thus ending their decades-long neutrality. 

Lockdowns, crop failures due to climate change and the war in Ukraine are all to blame for soaring prices around the world.

Geopolitics of Inflation

Schools and hospitals have been bombed, civilians shot in the back of the head. The International Criminal Court is already investigating alleged war crimes in Ukraine as the conflict is ongoing.

Ukraine: Looking for Justice

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.