Tag: United States

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 Icelandic Prime Minister Benediktsson at the 1968 NATO ministerial meeting - Reykjavik, Iceland

The Icelandic anomaly

In geopolitical terms, Iceland is a bit of an anomaly. It gained independence from Denmark, but found itself unable to defend itself. It joined NATO even though it doesn't have a standing army of its own. It's crucial to North Atlantic security but is it that crucial? This article examines Iceland before NATO, and how it, and NATO, evolved together.
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 the Macchi C.200

The bombing of RAF Kalafrana

On 9 May 1942, at the tail end of the Siege of Malta, an unexpected switch in Axis tactics led to loss of life at one of Malta's airfields. This article describes the situation at that point, and the details of the men who lost their lives that day.
A photo of the aircraft at Erding US Air Force base

RAF hijacking in Prague

In 1950, three ex-RAF pilots, persecuted by the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, coordinated the hijacking of three flights, leading to a daring escape to the West.
A photo of Einstein's bust - Prague, Czechia

Einstein in Prague

Albert Einstein developed key aspects of relativity during his 1911-1912 stay in Prague, lecturing at the local university.
A photo of the Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress

Air Battle over the Ore Mountains

On 11 September 1944, a massive, intense air battle took place over the mountains between Germany and what was then Czechoslovakia. The memory of this battle is still alive today.
A photo of Ladislav Bittman

Operation NEPTUNE

You may think 'fake news' is a modern invention, but you'd be wrong. One of Czechoslovakia's most famous disinformation campaigns was Operation NEPTUNE. This article explains why Czechoslovak spies carried out such a nefarious plot.
A photo of Milada Horáková at her trial

Milada Horáková: Czech resistance fighter

People who speak out against a regime ? are targeted. We think this happens in dictatorships but a democratic society can face the wrath of an angry administration. Under communist rule, Czechoslovakia targeted the resistance fighter Milada Horáková as brutally as possible.