In early February 2023, the US government reported the presence of a high altitude balloon travelling over US and Canadian airspace. It was quickly found to be a Chinese spy balloon, part of the country’s developing surveillance capabilities.
Kuril Islands: A decades-long Japan-Russia conflict
The Kuril Islands are a set of islands that stretches more than 800 miles from the north of Japan to the tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia.
Diego Garcia: An American military outpost in the middle of the Indian Ocean
Diego Garcia is an isolated island in the middle of the Indian Ocean that is claimed by the UK and home to a US military installation.
Djibouti Military Bases: A multi-country presence in a strategic location
Because of its strategic location for commerce, Djibouti has attracted the eyes of foreign military powers keen on protecting their nation’s interests – US, France, Japan and China all have significant permanent military bases in the small African country.