Territorial sea, EEZ and continental shelf: how do a country's rights at sea differ?
See why the territorial sea, EEZ and continental shelf grant different powers over waters, navigation, resources, seabed and subsoil.
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Contested Atlas
World geopolitics explained through conflicts, alliances, trade, resources, technology, and territorial disputes to understand how global power is changing.
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UN Security Council to discuss AI with Sam Altman on September 23: what is confirmed
The open session, convened by France during UN high-level week, will address AI, international security, malicious-use risks and coordination on safety standards.
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CXMT starts mass production of G5 DRAM: what the advance changes in the memory race
CXMT says its fifth-generation DRAM platform has entered mass production. Here is what the declared gains show, what the disclosed data does not prove, and why the advance matters ...
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US and China resume talks on AI, tariffs and critical minerals: what is on the table
The September 20 round in New York brings the US and China together to discuss AI, tariffs and critical minerals before the Trump-Xi summit. See what is confirmed and what remains ...
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Powers & Alliances3 articles
Strategies of countries, blocs, alliances and coalitions competing for international influence.
Wars & Security1 articleConflicts, defense, deterrence, weaponry and changes in the global military balance.
Geoeconomics & Sanctions4 articlesTrade, tariffs, sanctions and supply chains used as instruments of power.
Energy & Resources1 articleOil, gas, minerals, food and strategic resources in international competition.
Diplomacy & International Order7 articlesTreaties, organizations, negotiations, international law and foreign policy.
Technology & Sovereignty2 articlesChips, AI, space, networks and technological infrastructure linked to state power.
Borders & Territories2 articlesTerritorial disputes, seas, straits, borders and strategic regions around the world.
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North Korea launches two short-range missiles: what Seoul confirmed on September 20
Seoul confirmed two short-range ballistic missiles launched from Wonsan, with flights of about 450 km and more than 600 km. Here is what is confirmed and what remains under analysi...
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U.S. expands social media screening for visas from October 1: who is covered by the new rule
The State Department is adding I, TN and TD visas to expanded online presence review from October 1, 2026, and instructs applicants to make profiles public or open.
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H.R. 5334 becomes U.S. law: which Russia sanctions gain statutory force and what changes for Iran
Signed on September 18, H.R. 5334 expands statutory sanctions on Russia, creates new tariff rules, and extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2031, while several measures still req...
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U.S. troop review in Europe: what is being assessed and what remains undecided
The Pentagon review covers force levels, locations, costs, basing access and allied capacity. See the timeline, congressional limits and what still has no final decision.
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NATO Military Committee in Copenhagen: 19 September agenda, press conference and confirmed topics
The official 19 September programme lists opening remarks at 08:00, two morning sessions, a 13:00 family photo, a 14:00 press conference and a 17:00 final session. See who speaks p...
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U.S. lets EO 14046 expire: who left the SDN List and what still applies
OFAC confirmed the expiration of the EO 14046 emergency and removed six underlying designees from the SDN List. See who was removed and what does not change automatically.
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Russia-China veto ends UN Iran sanctions panel: what changes and what remains
The Security Council did not renew the independent panel that investigates compliance with UN sanctions on Iran. Here is what the monitoring gap changes, what remains in place, and...
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Critical minerals in Latin America: why mining more does not guarantee capturing refining value
The region is a major producer of copper, lithium and other minerals but refines far less than it mines. See where value leaks out, the bottlenecks and the opportunity through 2035...
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CBAM in 2026: who needs authorisation, how the 50-tonne threshold works and where carbon cost enters
Understand the definitive CBAM regime in 2026, who is accountable in the EU, how the annual 50-tonne threshold works and how certificates turn emissions into cost.
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- 01UN General Assembly 2026: General Debate dates and High-level Week agendaDiplomacy & International Order
- 02UN General Assembly 2026: the key dates from 18 to 29 September and what each meeting can decideDiplomacy & International Order
- 03NPT, TPNW and CTBT: what each nuclear treaty bans — and why the UN returns to the issue on September 29Diplomacy & International Order
- 04Sea-Level Rise at the UN on Sept. 24: Why Maritime Borders and the Continuity of Island States Are on the AgendaBorders & Territories
- 05Why Brazil speaks first at the UN General Assembly — and how the 2026 speaking order is setDiplomacy & International Order
Powers & Alliances
Strategies of countries, blocs, alliances and coalitions competing for international influence.
NATO Article 5 vs EU Article 42(7): what each clause requires — and why they are not equivalent
Both clauses create duties to assist, but they differ in their trigger, national discretion, response architecture and the relationship between the EU and NATO.
Read articleU.S. troop review in Europe: what is being assessed and what remains undecided
The Pentagon review covers force levels, locations, costs, basing access and allied capacity. See the timeline, congressional limits and what still has no final decision.
Read articleNATO Military Committee in Copenhagen: 19 September agenda, press conference and confirmed topics
The official 19 September programme lists opening remarks at 08:00, two morning sessions, a 13:00 family photo, a 14:00 press conference and a 17:00 final session. See who speaks p...
Read articleWars & Security
Conflicts, defense, deterrence, weaponry and changes in the global military balance.
North Korea launches two short-range missiles: what Seoul confirmed on September 20
Seoul confirmed two short-range ballistic missiles launched from Wonsan, with flights of about 450 km and more than 600 km. Here is what is confirmed and what remains under analysi...
Read articleNo articles published yet.
Geoeconomics & Sanctions
Trade, tariffs, sanctions and supply chains used as instruments of power.
US and China resume talks on AI, tariffs and critical minerals: what is on the table
The September 20 round in New York brings the US and China together to discuss AI, tariffs and critical minerals before the Trump-Xi summit. See what is confirmed and what remains ...
Read articleH.R. 5334 becomes U.S. law: which Russia sanctions gain statutory force and what changes for Iran
Signed on September 18, H.R. 5334 expands statutory sanctions on Russia, creates new tariff rules, and extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2031, while several measures still req...
Read articleU.S. lets EO 14046 expire: who left the SDN List and what still applies
OFAC confirmed the expiration of the EO 14046 emergency and removed six underlying designees from the SDN List. See who was removed and what does not change automatically.
Read articleCBAM in 2026: who needs authorisation, how the 50-tonne threshold works and where carbon cost enters
Understand the definitive CBAM regime in 2026, who is accountable in the EU, how the annual 50-tonne threshold works and how certificates turn emissions into cost.
Read articleEnergy & Resources
Oil, gas, minerals, food and strategic resources in international competition.
Critical minerals in Latin America: why mining more does not guarantee capturing refining value
The region is a major producer of copper, lithium and other minerals but refines far less than it mines. See where value leaks out, the bottlenecks and the opportunity through 2035...
Read articleNo articles published yet.
Geopolitics beyond the headline
Contested Atlas is a blog dedicated to explaining world geopolitics with context, clarity, and a commitment to verifiable sources. The goal is to help readers understand conflicts, alliances, territorial disputes, sanctions, trade, energy, technology, and diplomatic decisions that influence the balance of power among countries and regions.
More than following events, the blog seeks to explain why they happen, which interests are involved, how historical, economic, military, and geographic factors connect, and what consequences may emerge for the international landscape.
Analyses distinguish confirmed facts, statements from governments and organizations, interpretations, and possible scenarios. On rapidly changing topics, information is handled with attention to date, source origin, and the available level of uncertainty.
The goal of Contested Atlas is not to defend governments, blocs, or ideologies, but to give readers tools for understanding a world shaped by strategic competition, cooperation, conflict, and constant change in power relations.