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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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Germany in the 21st century is unthinkable without Angela Merkel, leading the country for the last 16 years. Ms Merkel grew up in the GDR before beginning her political career in the united Germany. A look at the Germany she leads as she approaches the end of her political career.

A look at the Germany of Angela Merket as she approaches the end of her political career after 16 years as chancellor.

Germany: Angela Merkeland?

20 years ago, on September 11, 2001, 3,000 people died when al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes. Mapping the World looks back on the 20-year struggle against Islamic terrorism, from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda to the so-called Islamic State, Boko Haram, and other jihadist organisations.

Mapping the World looks back on the 20-year struggle against Islamic terrorism

20 Years of War against Terrorism

The historian Herodotus in the fifth century BC said that Egypt was "a gift from the Nile", and from the pharaohs to Nasser, the Nile has played a vital role in Egypt's fortunes. But Ethiopia now intends to remind leaders in Cairo that the Nile is not just an Egyptian river.

Ethiopia wants to remind Egypt that the Nile is not just Egyptian

Geopolitics of the Nile

In 2016, Colombia the country signed a historic peace treaty with the FARC rebels. This was intended to mend the deep rift in Colombian society, which has long been divided into two extreme camps: on the one hand the Marxist revolutionary guerrilla, on the other the ultra-conservative right and paramilitary militias. But the violence that has shaped the recent history of the country is far from over.

Colombia is still struggling to control violence from extreme groups and drug cartels

Colombia: A Nation in Revolt

There are an estimated 1,500 active volcanoes on Earth and in the 20th century, 437 of them erupted in places like the United States, Russia, Indonesia and Japan. Both a blessing and a curse, they have shaped our world on land and at the sea.

A World of Volcanoes

Welcome to Afghanistan, the land of the magnificent mountains of the Hindu Kush and a country of great ethnic diversity. Its complex history is characterised by an almost permanent state of war.

Afghanistan - A Troubled Country

Climate change is often viewed as a far-off phenomenon but the effects are already being felt around the world by millions of people. A global overview of the regions on the frontline of the climate catastrophe.

 A global overview of the regions on the frontline of the climate catastrophe.

Climate Change Is Happening Now

Focus on the second largest country in the world. Canada can appear so similar and yet so different politically and cultural from its southern neighbour, the USA.

Canada: The Other America?

Oceania, a continent of scattered islands across a vast expanse of ocean, is at the forefront of climate change and at the heart of the confrontation between China and the United States.

Oceania: China Eyes Up the Pacific

The 5G revolution will truly bring the internet of things within everyone’s reach and make smart cities a global reality. But with this major technological advance led by Chinese company Huawei, it is leading to renewed tensions between the USA and China.

5G: The New Cold War?

All world powers want a piece of Antartica, the only continent that belongs to everyone and no one. This unique territory at the end of the world is currently protected by international law, with only scientific research allowed. But for how long will it remain a pristine wilderness?

All world powers want a piece of Antartica, the only continent that belongs to everyone and no one.

Antarctica: Ice and Greed

With a beautiful coastline stretching more than 2,000 kilometres along the Indian Ocean and a wealth of natural resources, Mozambique has the makings of an Eldorado. But the former Portuguese colony is facing a jihadist insurgency in the north which is jeopardising its chances of development and stability

Mozambique: A Cursed Eldorado

Originating from Ethiopia in the 700s, coffee has spread across the globe with a clear division between where coffee is produced and where it is consumed.

Coffee: A Global Beverage

China is a country of contrast from the busy heartlands of the East to the vast empty expanses of the West. A focus on the world most populated nation.

China: One Country, Many Facets

The Alps have always been a formidable barrier but one which mankind has always crossed. Today eight states share the mountain range which has seen the birth of winter sports, been a crucible for environmental protection as well as the site of colossal engineering projects.

The Alps: A European Story

Morocco is a beacon of stability in an unstable region. However, the kingdom still faces problems of serious social inequality, a lack of democratic freedoms, and the ongoing unresolved status of Western Sahara.

What Future for the Kingdom of Morocco?

Vietnam had a bloody twentieth century as long wars with the French and subsequently the Americans cost the country dearly. Recently things have been on the up as the south-east Asian country reinvents itself as a model economy and tourist destination.

Vietnam: The New Asian Tiger

Textiles have been central to trade and industry since time immemorial, notably with the famous Silk road trading route from China to Europe. In our current era of globalisation textiles continue to be big business but this success comes at a social and environmental cost.

Textiles: A Global Industry

An overview of the history of Portugal. Great trading nation and colonial power of yore, Portugal became one of the West’s poorest nations in the 20th century before undergoing a renaissance in recent years.

Portugal: Small Country, Big History

An overview of women’s rights around the world from the right to vote, access to education and abortion rights.

A Women's World

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Border closings were among the first measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The consequences were immediate for airports and airlines. Today, most of the world's planes are grounded. Airlines have seen their passangers drop by 95 percent.

Most planes are grounded as passenger numbers crashed overnight in the wake of border closures and safety fears

The Geopolitics of COVID-19: Aviation

In February, COVID-19 broke out in Iran and very quickly became unmangeable. A month and a half later, casualities in the Middle East remain relatively low, but Saudi Arabia is suffering from the drop in oil prices and the loss of revenue from the hajj.

Saudi Arabia is facing the double whammy of a drop in oil prices and the possible cancellation of the hajj

The Geopolitics of COVID-19: the Persian Gulf

Since February the coronavirus has spread to all corners of Europe and most nations have imposed lockdowns on their populations. A focus on Sweden which has not imposed restrictions.

Sweden and European Coronabonds

Geopolitics of Covid-19

Less than 200km from the Chinese mainland, the 'rebellious', democratic island of Taiwan has far fewer COVID-19 cases, with only a handful of deaths. How have they managed it? And does the CPP's handling of the outbreak change Beijing's claim over the island?

Less than 200km from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan only has a handful of COVID-19 deaths. How have they managed it?

The Geopolitics of COVID-19: China and Taiwan

Brazil’s far-right president Bolsonaro has not ordered a widespread shutdown of the population, dismissing the threat of Covid-19. How will the coronavirus pandemic unfold a highly unequal country?

Brazil: Bolsonaro's 'Little Flu"

Geopolitics of COVID-19

The coronavirus reminds us how we are all linked as part of the global village, with the crisis telling us much about world geopolitics. How is the epidemic playing out in isolated North Korea as compared to its wealthy southern neighbour?

North Korea

Our flagship geopolitics programme is working from home like many of us. A special episode focusing on the Koreas. How is the epidemic playing out in North Korea? 

Covid 19: A Lesson in Geopolitics

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