World population growth to 2100
For a long time the world's population grew very slowly, passing 1 billion only in 1804; two centuries later it reached 8 billion. UN forecasts now expect growth to level off after the 2050s.
Living Fire
«On the world, power and meaning. Understand, not just know.»
An analytical publication about the forces reshaping the world: the global economy, geopolitics, geo-economics, energy, civilizations, history and philosophy.
Russian version: livingfireworld.com
Britain has put an end to coal power. What does it mean for its industry?
In the late 1980s coal produced about 70% of Britain's electricity. It is now the first G7 country to abandon coal generation, which raises hard questions for its industry.
Key points from the BRICS joint declaration at the 17th summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The joint declaration adopted by BRICS at its 17th summit in Rio de Janeiro calls for an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the occupied Palestinian territories, and a global framework for governing artificial intelligence.
Electricity generation per capita in Germany and China
Germany's electricity generation per capita falls year after year, while China's has risen continuously for at least three decades — a sign of where industrial capacity is heading.
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China's strategic depth and the clash of its interests with those of the United States in the Asia-Pacific
This infographic maps the complex operational picture in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility, where the United States confronts China.
The North–South Transport Corridor and Iran's pivotal role
The International North–South Transport Corridor is an ambitious 7,200-km multimodal route from St Petersburg to Mumbai. Because every branch of it runs through Iran, the country has become the corridor's pivotal link.
Muhammad Shaybani Khan, one of the outstanding Uzbek commanders and statesmen in history
The founder of the Shaybanid dynasty and khan of the Bukhara Khanate was one of the outstanding commanders and statesmen of his age. Part 1 traces his education in Bukhara and the ambition he carried back to the steppes; part 2 follows his conquest of Transoxiana, Khorezm and Khorasan.
Why I consider Amir Temur the greatest commander
In my view, though I may be mistaken, the Great Temur ranks first among the greatest commanders in all history, followed by Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great and Hannibal Barca.
Two centuries of US budget deficits as a share of GDP
The chart traces the US budget deficit as a share of GDP over more than 200 years of American statehood, from the years before the world wars to the 9% average of the past five years.
Why Chinese manufacturers dominate the solar panel and battery industries
The author's case for why Chinese manufacturers dominate the global solar panel and battery sectors: long-term state industrial strategy, subsidies, self-sufficiency in minerals, scale, automation and cheap electricity.
World in focus
People & Ideas
People & Ideas
Jalal al-Din Rumi
1207–1273
Winston Churchill
Ibn Khaldun
Plutarch
the Buddha
c. VI–V в. BC
Abdulla Avloniy
Abdullah ibn al-Muqaffa
Aesop
Ahmad Donish
Al-Farabi
Alexander the Great
Amir Temur
1336–1405
Apollonius of Tyana
Arnold J. Toynbee
Benjamin Disraeli
1804–1881
“On the law issued in France to increase the population”— Montesquieu
Atlas
Archive
The British Empire at Its Peak (1922)
By 1922 the British Empire controlled 36,190,000 km² — about a quarter of the world's land — and 480 million people, roughly 24% of the world's population.
Language Map of Asia
A map of the languages and language families of Asia.
Territories held by countries in the Arctic zone
This map shows the territories countries hold in the Arctic, a region now at the centre of economic and geopolitical competition between the United States, Russia and China.
Living Fire on Telegram and Threads
Short analyses, important ideas and observations on the world, economy, geopolitics and meaning.