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Culture / 1 week ago

Faith and power: How religion still shapes the Middle East

From the Mediterranean coast to the Persian Gulf, the Middle East is a patchwork of belief, a living mosaic of faiths that have coexisted, overlapped, and at times collided for centuries. The sea of green across the map above represents Sunni Muslims, the largest branch of Islam, stretching from Egypt and Saudi Arabia through to Turkey and Jordan.

Politics / 5 weeks ago

Inside America's largest network of military bases around the world

The U.S. operates roughly 750 overseas military sites across 80 countries and territories in 2025, making it the most geographically dispersed military presence in the world. Within that total, there are some 128 confirmed “bases” in around 49 foreign countries, meaning many sites are smaller “forward operating locations,” cooperative security sites, or rotational deployments rather than full-scale bases.

Maps / 8 weeks ago

Israel’s expanding military campaign is redrawing the map of the Middle East

Since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, Israel’s military campaign has stretched far beyond Gaza, marking one of the most expansive regional operations in decades. A map highlights the countries struck by Israeli forces: Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Oman, illustrating how the conflict has become a regional confrontation rather than a strictly local war.

World / 10 weeks ago

Venezuela tops the 2025 oil reserves ranking

Venezuela leads the world in proven oil reserves in 2025 with an astonishing 303 billion barrels, followed closely by Saudi Arabia at 267 billion barrels, with Iran securing third place at 209 billion barrels. A visual breakdown charts the top ten nations: Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Canada (163 bn), Iraq (145 bn), UAE (113 bn), Kuwait (102 bn), Russia (80 bn), the United States (74 bn), and Libya (48 bn).

Culture / 12 weeks ago

Christianity in the Middle East: A minority faith with deep roots

Christianity was born in the Middle East nearly 2,000 years ago, yet today, Christians make up only a small minority across the region. According to data from the Pew Research Centre, the percentage of Christians varies widely by country, from a tiny fraction in places like Iran (0.2%) and Yemen (0.2%) to large communities in Lebanon (31%) and Cyprus (78%).

World / 18 weeks ago

Top 10 global leaders in natural gas reserves

Although the world is looking at transitioning to cleaner energy sources, natural gas remains a cornerstone of energy security and economic development. A report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration highlights the top 10 countries with the largest proven natural gas reserves, measured in trillion cubic feet (Tcf).

Environment / 19 weeks ago

UK issues urgent travel warning for the Middle East

Although the Middle East is among the richest and most beautiful regions in the world, it continues to struggle with heightened insecurity following the conflicts between Israel and Iran, as well as between Israel and Gaza. In view of this, The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has released its latest Foreign Travel Advice for the Middle East, outlining crucial guidance for British citizens planning trips to the region.

Politics / 21 weeks ago

Why planes avoid these global airspaces

Due to high-risk conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and aviation security concerns, some areas are avoided by commercial aircraft.

Maps / 21 weeks ago

Israel vs. Iran: Map reveals missile ranges amid escalating regional tensions

A report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), recently shared by The Economist, compares the ballistic missile capabilities of Israel and Iran. The report provides a glaring illustration of the escalating military tension between the two regional powers.

Politics / 21 weeks ago

Israel launches major offensive on Iran's nuclear sites and military leadership

Israel has launched an unprecedented military campaign against Iran, striking key nuclear facilities and top military leaders in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared would be a multi-day operation. The offensive, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” involved 200 Israeli fighter jets, marking one of the largest coordinated aerial assaults in the region’s recent history. In retaliation, Iran fired over 100 drones toward Israeli territory, intensifying fears of a broader regional conflict.

Maps / 28 weeks ago

Who gets the most days off? These countries lead the world in public holidays

When it comes to taking a break, some countries clearly prioritize time off more than others. According to a visual by World Visualized, nations in South Asia and Southeast Asia dominate the list of countries with the most public holidays — with India topping the chart at a whopping 42 days off annually. But what’s behind these high holiday counts? We take a deeper look at why these countries offer so many public holidays, with insights from World Population Review and The Times of India.

World / 37 weeks ago

Executions on the rise: Analysing the top 5 countries in 2024

Despite public uproar about the inhumane nature of death sentences, several countries in the world can't seem to let go of this practice. A significant protest is the institution of the European and World Day against the Death Penalty by the European Union on October 9.

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