Operation Unthinkable: Churchill’s Plan for World War III in 1945: As World War II in Europe was ending, Winston Churchill had his staff draw up a plan for starting World War III against the Soviets. Here’s our analysis of that might-have-been war.

Two Decisive Battles of the 30 Years War: Lutter 1626 & Wittstock 1636: The Thirty Years War (1618–48) was a prolonged struggle where the powers of Europe fought for religious, dynastic and emerging national objectives. And while the war spanned three decades, armies won decisive victories that changed the course of the conflict. Two of these battles were Lutter (1626) and Wittstock (1636).

Mediterranean Empires: Struggle for the Mediterranean: in the High Middle Ages During the second half of the 13^th century, the Aragonese intervention in the Sicilian rebellion marked the beginning of a centuries-long struggle for the Mediterranean. Although the Aragonese did not have the abundant economic resources of their enemies, they put an emphasis in the quality and superior seamanship of their sailors and combatants.

Vicksburg: Joint Operations in the American Civil War: In July of 1863 two battles were fought which became recognized as decisive in the American Civil War. The first was fought at Gettysburg. The second was along the Mississippi, where General Ulysses S. Grant at the Gibraltar of the Confederacy—Vicksburg.

Future Russia Baltic States War: Recently, the Russians have moved aggressively into what they refer to as the “near abroad,” those areas adjacent to Russia which hold significant geopolitical interests. This includes the Baltic States, and the Russian enclave at Kaliningrad. The potential for conflict in this area is examined.

The Battle of Mukden, 1905. Mukden was the largest single battle fought anywhere on the planet between 1871 and 1914. Its course and outcome set the stage for much that followed during the First World War, but today it is largely unknown.

Italian-Ottoman War: Struggle for Libya, 1911–12. This lesser known conflict was an Italian military victory, both on land and, finally, at sea. Then Rome found itself fighting a protracted counterinsurgency in North Africa to secure its gains.