Tag: Asia

A photo of the Jablonkow tunnel

Did World War II Start With a Failed Secret Raid?

World War II began on 1 September 1939. What if I told you a secret German commando unit jumped the gun, invading Poland six days early? This is the Jabłonków Incident, a bizarre opening act to the world’s deadliest conflict. Ready to uncover one of WWII’s best-kept secrets?
An image of the Ibelin coat of arms

A Medieval Marriage That Never Was

The idea that noble medieval families' marriages were all political is neither new nor surprising. It's rare to see situations where the wife-to-be is the one who ended up benefiting as much as her husband. This article is about Cypriot Alice of Ibelin, her bethrotal and marriage.
A painting of the French fleet in the grand harbour

When Napoleon Conquered Malta in 72 Hours

Think the fall of powerful nations takes months? Napoleon Bonaparte dismantled 268 years of Knights' rule over Malta in three days. If you want to understand how empires truly fall, keep reading.
A portrait of Pope Sylvester II

The Phantom Time Hypothesis

There are dark corners of the internet where I've found mentions of "The Phantom Time Hypothesis". This suggests that the years between 614 AD and 911 AD didn't exist. But how can that be? How can human history have misplaced 300 years of history?
A photo of Abu Dhabi today

Creating the Emirates

The United Arab Emirates exist because of a reaction to Britain's loss of power, post-Word War II. That power, in turn, came about because of geography, rather than outright politics. It's strange to think a modern country exists because of a random geographical feature. This article explains the whole story.
A photo of Place Charles De Gaulle - Bayeux, France

Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories

During World War II, the USA and UK plotted to place France under Allied administration after the war, instead of restoring the French government. Why would they consider this, and how different would the world today be if this had gone through? This article examines the political context and the personalities behind what happened.
A photo of one of the cippi of Melqart - Louvre, Paris, France

The Maltese Rosetta Stone

The Cippi of Melqart, discovered in Malta, are priceless because they were the key to deciphering Phoenician script. This article explains who Melqart was, what cippi are and what this Maltese Rosetta Stone is all about.
A photo of HMS Marlborough, location unknown

Russian exiles in Malta

Mentioning exiled Russians these days suggests pro-Ukrainian protesters or anti-Putin demonstrators. Malta's reputation as a haven for Russians goes back more than 100 years before Putin's antics.