Map: Kazakhstan Joins WTO

Premium members click here to view this article in the ad-free members area. Not a member yet? Learn about our subscription service!

Member and observer states of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Map by Evan Centanni, starting from public domain blank map (license: CC BY-NC-SA).

Syrian Civil War Control Map: December 2015 (Subscription)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Syria updates.

Subscribe Now! Subscribe for full access to all conflict map reports! Download PDF: Buy now

Research by Djordje Djukic, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

The Syrian government's newly Russian-backed offensive against rebels and the so-called "Islamic State" (IS, formerly ISIS) is beginning to pick up momentum. Meanwhile, Western European countries are increasingly becoming involved in the war on IS as well, with a new Western-backed, multi-ethnic ground coalition making significant gains of its own against the group.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's concise, professional-quality Syrian Civil War control map, which includes a timeline of changes since our previous Syria map report near the end of October.

This map and report are professional subscriber content, available to paid members or for separate purchase. Download PDF (US$24.99)

Want to see before you buy? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Syria map!

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Syria, color-coded for the Assad government, rebel groups, "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL) extremists, and Kurdish YPG forces. Special symbol indicates rebel-held towns dominated by Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra (the Nusra Front).
• New in this edition: Special symbol indicates towns held by multi-ethnic anti-ISIS Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
• Detailed indication of city-by-city control, highlighting key towns and other locations important to current events.
• Locations of recent fighting and military operations, including Kweires airbase, Hader, Kafrah, Delha, Deir Hanna, Sheikh Meskin, Hawl, and more.
• Detailed timeline of important events and changes to territorial control since October 30, 2015, compiled by our Syria-Iraq expert, with links to sources.

MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

Not a member yet? Click here to learn more about our professional subscription service!

New Zealand Voting on New Flag Design

Premium members click here to view this article in the ad-free members area. Not a member yet? Learn about our subscription service!

Updated 2015-12-16: Continue to the bottom of the article for the results of the flag referendum!

The five options for a new flag of New Zealand. Clockwise from top left: Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue) by Kyle Lockwood; Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) by Kyle Lockwood; Koru (Black) by Andrew Fyfe; Silver Fern (Black and White) by Alofi Kanter; and Red Peak by Aaron Dustin. More information in article below. License: CC BY 3.0 nz

By Evan Centanni

A New Flag For New Zealand?
For decades, New Zealand has debated whether to change its flag, and now the country is finally putting the matter to a vote. A controversial initiative of Prime Minister John Key, the referendum officially began today, November 20. Over the coming three weeks, New Zealanders will choose their favorite from five contending flag designs. A final vote on whether to adopt the winner or stay with the old flag will happen next March. New Zealand's current flag has been in place since 1902, nearly fifty years before the country became fully independent from the UK. Its top left corner is occupied by the so-called "Union Jack", which is still the flag of the UK today.

Yemen's Civil War: Map of Control in November 2015 (Subscription)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Yemen updates.

Subscribe Now! Subscribe for full access to all conflict map reports! Download PDF: Buy now

Timeline by Djordje Djukic, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni; map by Louis Martin-Vézian and Evan Centanni

Over the past month and a half, all sides in Yemen's civil war have achieved territorial gains. The international coalition backing President Hadi - now including troops from Sudan, as well as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar - has made gains against the Houthis, even as the Houthis have recaptured other areas. Meanwhile, Al Qaeda has taken advantage of the chaos to continue continued its gradual expansion of power.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's Yemen territorial control map, which includes a timeline of changes and important events since our previous Yemen map report in September.

This map and report are exclusive premium content, available to paid subscribers or for individual purchase. Download PDF (US$19.99)

Want to see before you buy? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Yemen map report!

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Yemen, color-coded for the pro-Hadi coalition, Houthi/Saleh forces, and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
• Detailed indication of town-by-town control, including provincial boundaries, all major cities, and many smaller ones
• Markers for key areas of recent fighting such as Taiz, Marib, Bayda, Mukayras, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and more
• Timeline of changes to the situation since late September, with links to sources

MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

Not a member yet? Click here to learn more about our professional subscription service!

The Death of a Currency: Zimbabwe Dollar Demonetized

Premium members click here to view this article in the ad-free members area. Not a member yet? Learn about our subscription service!



By Olga Rodriguez-Walmisley, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

The End of the Zimbabwe Dollar
As of last month, the Zimbabwe dollar (Z$) no longer has any monetary value: After more than a decade of extreme inflation, it has been permanently retired. It was the official currency of Zimbabwe for 29 years, from 1980 to 2009, and continued to be circulated until this past September. Today, the government of Zimbabwe uses US dollars, while at least seven other foreign currencies are also accepted as legal tender: the South African rand, Botswana pula, British pound, Indian rupee, Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, and Australian dollar.

Syrian Civil War Control Map: October 2015 (Subscription)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Syria updates.

Subscribe Now! Subscribe for full access to all conflict map reports! Download PDF: Buy now

Research by Djordje Djukic, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

A month into Russia's military intervention in Syria, the Assad government and Iranian troops have made a number of small advances against both the rebels and the so-called "Islamic State" (formerly ISIS/ISIL).

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's concise, professional-quality Syrian Civil War control map, which includes a timeline of changes since our previous Syria map report last month.

This map and report are professional subscriber content, available to paid members or for separate purchase. Download PDF (US$24.99)

Want to see before you buy? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Syria map!

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Syria, color-coded for the Assad government, rebel groups, "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL) extremists, and Kurdish YPG forces. Special symbol indicates rebel-held towns dominated by Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra (the Nusra Front).
• Detailed indication of city-by-city control, highlighting key towns and other locations important to current events.
• Locations of recent fighting and military operations, including Kweires airbase, Kafr Nabudah, the southern Aleppo countryside, northern Hama province, and more.
• Detailed timeline of important events and changes to territorial control since September 14, 2015, compiled by our Syria-Iraq expert, with links to sources.

MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

Not a member yet? Click here to learn more about our professional subscription service!

Map of Boko Haram/"Islamic State" Control in Nigeria: October 2015

(To see other maps in this series, view all Boko Haram updates on PolGeoNow.)

Map by Evan Centanni. All rights reserved.

(Subscribers click here to view this article in the member area) 

By Evan Centanni

The "Islamic State" in Nigeria
Northeastern Nigeria's Boko Haram rebels, despite being pushed out of most of the territory they held last year, are still a major force in the region.

After becoming an official affiliate of Iraq and Syria's so-called "Islamic State" (IS, a.k.a ISIS/ISIL) last March, they have now taken to calling themselves the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP).

African Union Suspends Burkina Faso, Then Reinstates it Again (Map)

Map by Evan Centanni, from this blank map by Eric Gaba. License: CC BY-SA

Premium members click here to view this article in the ad-free members area. Not a member yet? Subscribe now!

Article by Evan Centanni

Coup Crisis
On September 18, Burkina Faso was suspended from the African Union (AU) by the organization's Peace and Security Council. The action was in response to a government takeover by soldiers loyal to the country's former president Blaise Compaore, who was pushed out in a popular uprising a year ago.

Yemen's Civil War: Map of Control in September 2015 (Subscription)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Yemen updates.

Subscribe Now! Subscribe for full access to all conflict map reports! Download PDF: Buy now

Timeline by Djordje Djukic, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni; map by Louis Martin-Vézian and Evan Centanni

Forces loyal to Yemen's exiled President Hadi, backed by troops from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and now Qatar, have advanced rapidly against the Houthi rebels over the summer. However, with the offensive now losing momentum, battle lines are solidifying and groups such as Al Qaeda are moving to fill in the power vacuum left in the coalition's wake.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's Yemen territorial control map, which includes a timeline of changes and important events since our previous Yemen map report in August.

This map and report are exclusive premium content, available to paid subscribers or for individual purchase.
Download PDF (US$19.99)

Want to see before you buy? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Yemen map report!

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Yemen, color-coded for the pro-Hadi coalition, Houthi/Saleh forces, and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
• Detailed indication of town-by-town control, including provincial boundaries, all major cities, and many smaller ones
• Markers for key areas of recent fighting such as Marib, Aden, Ibb, Bayda, Mukayras, and more
• Timeline of changes to the situation since mid-August, with links to sources

MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

Not a member yet? Click here to learn more about our professional subscription service!

Map Update: Kosovo Recognized by 3 More Countries in 2015 (108/193 UN members)

Premium members click here to view this article in the ad-free members area. Not a member yet? Subscribe now!

Map by Evan Centanni, modified from public domain graphic (source).

Syrian Civil War Control Map: September 2015 (Subscription)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Syria updates.

Subscribe Now! Subscribe for full access to all conflict map reports! Download PDF: Buy now

Research by Djordje Djukic, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

Anti-government rebels in Syria, including fighters from the Al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, have further consolidated their control of Idlib province in the country's northwest. Meanwhile, forces of the "Islamic State" are again occupying parts of the capital city, Damascus, even as they besiege several other locations in Syria.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's concise, professional-quality Syrian Civil War control map, which includes a timeline of changes since our previous Syria map report last month.

This map and report are professional subscriber content, available to paid members or for separate purchase. Download PDF (US$19.99)

Want to see before you buy? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Syria map!

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Syria, color-coded for the Assad government, rebel groups, "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL) extremists, and Kurdish YPG forces. Special symbol indicates rebel-held towns dominated by Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra (the Nusra Front).
• Detailed indication of city-by-city control, highlighting key towns and other locations important to current events.
• Locations of recent fighting and military operations, including Abu Duhur airbase, Marea, Qadam district, Mansoura, and more.
• Detailed timeline of important events and changes to territorial control since August 20, 2015, compiled by our Syria-Iraq expert, with links to sources.

MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

Not a member yet? Click here to learn more about our professional subscription service!

War in Libya: Map of Control in August 2015

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Libya updates.

This is the first of a series of professional Libya control maps. Secure your access to future updates: sign up now for our conflict map subscription service!

Base map by Koen Adams of onestopmap.com, with territorial control by Evan Centanni. All rights reserved.

Subscribers click here to view this article in the ad-free members area. Not a member yet? Subscribe now! 

Background summary by Djordje Djukic; timeline by Evan Centanni and T.H.

Included in this free article:

• Concise summary of events in Libya since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011
• Detailed timeline of conflict, changes to territorial control, and political events since 2011, with each mentioned location illustrated on the map above

Syrian Civil War Control Map: August 2015 (Subscription)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Syria updates.

Download PDF: Buy now (Subscribe via Paypal to view all premium content online)

Research by Djordje Djukic, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

Since the end of June, the borders of the so-called "Islamic State" (IS) have changed significantly in Syria, with Kurdish advances from the north and IS pushes into the country's west. Meanwhile, rebels continue to struggle with the Assad government for dominance over the country's remaining territory.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's professional Syrian Civil War control map, which includes a timeline of changes since our previous Syria map report at the end of June.

This map and report are professional subscriber content, available to paid members or for separate purchase. Download PDF (US$19.99)

Want to see before you buy? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Syria map!

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Syria, color-coded for the Assad government, rebel groups, "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL) extremists, and Kurdish YPG forces. Special symbol indicates rebel-held towns dominated by Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra (the Nusra Front).
• Detailed indication of city-by-city control, highlighting key towns and other locations relevant to current events.
• Locations of recent fighting and military operations, including Ayn Issa, Sarrin, Hasakah, Mansour, Frikka, Elbeyli, Qaryatain, and others
• Detailed timeline of important events and changes to territorial control since June 29, 2015, compiled by our Syria-Iraq expert, with links to sources.

MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

Not a member yet? Click here to learn more about our professional subscription service!

Yemen's Civil War: Map of Control in August 2015 (Subscription)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Yemen updates.

Download PDF: Buy now (Subscribe via Paypal to view all premium content online)

Timeline by Djordje Djukic, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni; map by Louis Martin-Vézian and Evan Centanni

Yemen's Houthi revolutionary government, despite support from Iran, is rapidly losing ground against the fighters aligned to President Hadi, and supporting forces from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 

A long list of towns have changed hands just within the last two weeks, and Al Qaeda is on the move as well. See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's Yemen territorial control map, which includes a timeline of changes since our previous Yemen map report in July.

This map and report are exclusive premium content, available to paid subscribers or for individual purchase.
Download PDF (US$14.99)

Want to see before you buy? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Yemen map report!

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Yemen, color-coded for the Hadi coalition, Houthi/Saleh forces, and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
• Detailed indication of town-by-town control, including provincial boundaries, all major cities, and many smaller ones
• Markers for key areas of recent fighting such as Houta, Al-Anad Airbase, Utmah, Ibb, Rabat, Lawdar, Bayda, Ataq, and more
• Timeline of changes to the situation since the end of July, with links to sources

MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

NOT A MEMBER YET? SUBSCRIBE NOW!

New Olympic Nation: South Sudan (Map)

Paid subscribers click here to view this article in the ad-free members area. Not a member yet? Subscribe now!

Map of all nations in the Olympics, and their regional associations. Two newest Olympic nations labeled.
Map by Evan Centanni, starting from this blank map and modeled after this map.

Yemen's Civil War: Map of Control in July 2015 (Subscription)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Yemen updates.

Download PDF: Buy now (Subscribe via Paypal to view all premium content online)

Timeline by Djordje Djukic, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni; map by Louis Martin-Vézian and Evan Centanni

In the past month, Yemen's Saudi-backed resistance forces have finally begun making inroads against the Houthis, capturing a major southern city while also extending their control to the northern border with Saudi Arabia.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's Yemen territorial control map, which includes a timeline of changes since our previous Yemen map report in June.

This map and report are exclusive premium content, available to paid subscribers or for individual purchase.
Download PDF (US$14.99)

Want to see before you buy? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Yemen map report!

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Yemen, color-coded for the Hadi government, Houthi/Saleh forces, and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
• Detailed indication of town-by-town control, including provincial boundaries, all major cities, and many smaller ones
• Markers for key areas of recent fighting such as Aden, Al-Anad, Sabr, Marib, Wadiah border crossing, and more
• Timeline of changes to the situation since July, compiled by our Yemen specialist, with links to sources

MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

NOT A MEMBER YET? SUBSCRIBE NOW!

War in Iraq: Map of "Islamic State" Control in July 2015 (Subscription)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Iraq updates.

Download PDF: Buy now (Subscribe via Paypal to view all premium content online)

Timeline by Djordje Djukic; map and additional reporting by Evan Centanni

Since May, fighting in Iraq has seen small but potentially important advances by all sides, including the Baghdad government (with Iranian support), the "Islamic State" extremists, and Kurdistan's peshmerga.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's Iraq territorial control map, which includes a timeline of changes since our previous Iraq map report in May.

This map and report are exclusive premium content, available to paid subscribers or for separate purchase.
Download PDF (US$14.99)

Want to see before you buy? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Iraq map report!

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Iraq, color-coded for the Iraqi government, "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL) extremists, and Kurdish peshmerga forces
• Detailed indication of town-by-town control, including provincial boundaries, all major cities, and many smaller ones
• Markers for key areas of recent fighting such as Baiji, Ramadi, Husaybah, Walid border crossing, and more
• Timeline of changes to the situation since May, compiled by our Iraq specialist, with links to sources

MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

NOT A MEMBER YET? SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Paraguay's Subtle Flag Change

Sometimes geopolitical changes make headlines, but other times they slip quietly under the radar. In particular, small modifications to national flags often fail to make the news. To make sure you don't miss anything, here's a report on one such flag change that even we discovered only recently.

Premium members click here to view this article in the ad-free members area. Not a member yet? Subscribe now!

Flag of Paraguay, 2013-present (front) Flag of Paraguay, 2013-present (back) The Coat of Arms of Paraguay (CC BY-SA; source graphics)

By Olga Rodriguez-Walmisley

2013 Flag Change
On July 15, 2013, Federico Franco, at that time the President of Paraguay, announced that the official seals on both sides of the Paraguayan flag would undergo changes in order to better represent the symbols first chosen for it in 1842. These two seals together make up the national coat of arms of Paraguay.

Franco said the modifications were the result of a long debate and “a consensus that is not often achieved among historians”. There had already been several changes to the seals in the past, especially after the Paraguayan War of 1864-1870, which pitted the country against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Changes made to the National Seal
One of the biggest of the 2013 changes was to the ring around the star, where it says “República del Paraguay”. This ring has been red since about 1988, when it was changed under the rule dictator Alfredo Stroessner, whose political party was represented by that color. It is now white. The blue background behind the yellow star has also disappeared, and the text of the phrase “República del Paraguay” has changed from yellow to black.

Changes made to the Seal of the Treasury
On the reverse side of the flag, the roaring lion is now a light ochre (golden) color instead of yellow, the spear behind the lion is brown, while the cap on top of the spear, which according to tradition symbolizes liberty, continues to be red. The inscription “Paz y Justicia” (Peace and Justice) is now black instead of yellow, and the banner behind the inscription has gone from red to white.

Syrian Civil War Control Map: June 2015 (Subscription)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Syria updates.

Download PDF: Buy now (Subscribe via Paypal to view all premium content online)

Research by T.H., with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

Since late May, rebels have consolidated their power in Syria's northwest, Kurdish forces have extended their control across most of the border with Turkey, and the Islamic State continues advancing in the direction of Damascus.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's popular Syria control map, which includes a timeline of changes since our previous Syria map report in May.

This map and report are exclusive premium content, available to paid subscribers or for separate purchase.
Download PDF (US$19.99)

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Syria, color-coded for the Assad government, rebel groups, Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) extremists, and Kurdish YPG forces. Special symbol indicates rebel-held towns dominated by Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra.
• Detailed indication of city-by-city control, highlighting key towns and other locations relevant to current events.
• Locations of recent fighting and military operations, including Tel Abyad, Ayn Issa, Hasakah, Kobani, Palmyra, Ariha, Suwayda, and more.
• Timeline of important events and changes to territorial control since May 24, 2015, with links to sources.

MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

NOT A MEMBER YET? SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Yemen's Civil War: Map of Control in June 2015

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Yemen updates.

This is part of a series of Yemen maps and infographics created in collaboration between PolGeoNow and CIGeography. Part 1 was the Map & Infographic of Foreign Military Deployments in Yemen, and Part 2 was War in Yemen: Map of Territorial Control (April 2015).

Map by Louis Martin-Vézian and Evan Centanni (click to enlarge). All rights reserved.

Subscribers click here to view this article in the ad-free members area. Not a member yet? Subscribe now!

Timeline by Djordje Djukic, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

Houthi Control Spreading Despite Saudi Airstrikes
Since our previous Yemen control map update in early April, Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners have continued their air and sea campaign in support of the ousted Yemeni government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, supported by parts of the Yemeni military and allied local and southern forces. But two months into the intervention, their opponents, the northern Houthi rebels and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, have continued to expand eastward. Meanwhile, Al Qaeda fighters have consolidated their control in parts of eastern Yemen, and the port city of Aden is still divided by frequent battles.