by John West | 14 Jan 2026 | Decoder Replay, Europe, History, Nationalism, Politics, United States
Under NATO, 32 countries have pledged to defend each other. Is the United States the glue that holds it all together? Service members from nine NATO countries display flags. (Photo by Spc. Seth LaCount) Editor’s note: On 11 January 2025, the British newspaper...
by Ben Barber | 2 Apr 2025 | Decoder Replay, History, Politics, United States
Donald Trump commands some 200,000 U.S. troops in more than 125 military bases in 149 countries. Why are they there in the first place? U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth salutes U.S. troops at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Philippines, 28 March 2025. (AP...
by John West | 29 Jul 2024 | Decoders, Europe, History, Politics, Russia, Ukraine, United States
The mutual defence pact started with 12 nations and now has 32 members. But does bigger mean safer? Military officers attend a ceremony in Albania for the inauguration of an international tactical air base, NATO’s first in the Western Balkan region, 4 March 2024. (AP...
by Sabine Berzina | 9 May 2024 | Europe, History, Politics, Russia, Ukraine
It’s been 34 years since the Soviet Union controlled Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. But the Ukraine conflict has people thinking: Are we ready for war? Two photos show Jelgava, Latvia. On the left is Jelgava before World War Two (Credit: The Archive of Jelgava...
by Christine Keilholz | 21 Feb 2024 | Decoder Replay, History, Politics
The idea behind the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is that an attack on one is an attack on all. But is that only for those who can pay? The 30 member flags and large steel NATO Star sculpture at the main entrance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)...