Mapping the World
2026
Every week, Jean-Christophe Victor explains what's happening in a country or part of the world (politically, socially, economically, etc), with the help of beautiful and clear animated maps. A very clever and helpful view of our contemporary world.
Where to Watch Mapping the World • 2026
14 Episodes
- The world of intelligence: the major players
E1The world of intelligence: the major playersThe Hamas attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, exposed a major flaw in Israeli intelligence services, considered among the best in the world. In a world where warfare is becoming hybrid, the challenges for intelligence services are immense, and their ability to inform, influence, and manipulate is a primary factor in power. - Cities: Facing Heatwaves
E2Cities: Facing HeatwavesBy mid-century, the number of cities exposed to temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius for three consecutive months will have tripled. 1.6 billion city dwellers are said to be threatened by these extreme weather events. Excess mortality, respiratory illnesses, and worsening inequalities in cities worldwide. Faced with this emergency, cities are mobilizing and innovating. - Serbia: Between Beijing, Brussels and Moscow
E3Serbia: Between Beijing, Brussels and MoscowSerbia is a key Balkan country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, led by President Aleksandar Vučić. An official candidate for EU membership, Serbia has not applied sanctions against Moscow and has a good relationship with Beijing. Where does its future lie? - Ukraine: Resilience in Wartime
E5Ukraine: Resilience in WartimeFor four years, Russia has struck at Ukraine's vital infrastructure with the aim of demoralising the population. More than 9.5 million people have been forced to leave their homes and find refuge in other regions or abroad. But the Ukrainians have shown great resilience in the face of Russian aggression. - Denmark: A Time of Threats
E6Denmark: A Time of ThreatsDenmark is widely regarded as an economic, social, and environmental model. Generating more than half of its electricity from wind power, the country has already completed roughly 75 percent of its journey toward climate neutrality. Occupying a strategic position at the interface of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, Denmark has become a key strategic power. Yet this status also exposes it to new vulnerabilities: beyond the challenges posed by climate change, it must now confront external pressures, including Donald Trump’s predatory ambitions toward Greenland and growing intimidation from Russia. - Rare Earths: A Strategic Issue
E7Rare Earths: A Strategic IssueSought after for their magnetic and luminescent properties, essential for renewable energy and displays, rare earths have become highly strategic resources. China holds nearly half of the world's reserves, followed by Brazil, India, Australia, Russia, Vietnam, the United States, and Myanmar. - The soybean, a geopolitical crop
E8The soybean, a geopolitical cropSoy is a key commodity in the global economy. Primarily used as animal feed, the bean is also processed into biodiesel. Trade connects ports in the USA with China and shapes new economic routes. Brazil, the USA, and Argentina dominate the market, but monocultures cause massive environmental damage. Dubbed the "green oil of the 21st century," its trade is reshaping the world map, linking ports in the Americas to terminals in China. - United States: The Economy According to Trump
E9United States: The Economy According to TrumpIn February 2026, the justices of the US Supreme Court ruled: a president cannot unilaterally impose tariffs. This challenged one of Donald Trump's favorite weapons: increasing import taxes. It provides an opportunity to review the economy according to Trump, particularly in Minneapolis, whose local economy is affected by the climate of fear surrounding ICE. - Demographics: A World of Old People?
E10Demographics: A World of Old People?Understanding geopolitics and the world: The connections of globalization explained simply with maps. This issue examines the consequences of China's one-child policy and the demographic trend toward aging societies on almost every continent. - EU and India – One friendship among many?
E11EU and India – One friendship among many?Understanding geopolitics and the world: Globalization's interconnectedness explained simply using maps. This episode explores the relationship between the EU and India against the backdrop of the new geopolitical landscape. - Tea, a trendy beverage
E12Tea, a trendy beverageA moment that will never be forgotten: On the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, she met Paddington Bear – at a classic tea time in Buckingham Palace. But as much as tea is considered a British cultural treasure, its origins lie far away: in China. "With Open Cards" embarks on a global quest to explore the history and uses of tea. - Texas, a state of contrastsE13
Texas, a state of contrastsTexas, a historical stronghold of American conservatives, is considered a "laboratory of Trumpism." Once a land of immigration, it is now one of the spearheads of Donald Trump's anti-immigrant policies. Fueled by oil and AI, Texas attracts influential companies, starting with those of Elon Musk, a powerful ally of the American president.
