Contrary to public perception, most African migrants do not come to Europe via the Mediterranean, but settle in other parts of Africa. "With open cards" takes a look at the migration flows within Africa. How can economic migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons be distinguished? What role do demographic development, poverty, conflict, urbanisation and climate change play? How do the individual host countries and the African Union react? The complex migratory flows on this vast and heterogeneous continent present Africa with major challenges. [arte]

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is a hardliner in the fight against drugs: he has had thousands of people executed for drug-related crimes. But the country has even more to deal with: On the one hand the terror of the IS supporters, which rages above all in the south of the archipelago, on the other hand China's striving for expansion in the Chinese Sea. [arte]

With its steppes and vast landscapes, Kazakhstan seems like a land of eternal freedom. The opposite is the case: the country was long under Russian rule, first under the tsars, then under the USSR. Today it is doing everything it can to finally become independent and is using its resources and strategic position in Central Asia to develop relations with China and Europe. [arte]

How's Rwanda doing 24 years after the genocide? Rapid economic growth, foreign investment, a growing education system and a declining poverty rate are evidence of impressive progress. With its skyscrapers and sparkling avenues, the capital Kigali is one of Africa's most modern cities. But behind the Rwandan "economic miracle" lies the authoritarian government of Paul Kagame, whom critics accuse of human rights violations ... [arte]

Over 400 cables on the seabed ensure the proper functioning of the Internet and enable over 99 percent of intercontinental exchange. States, secret services and Internet giants are more interested than ever in the "network" ... The more than 1.3 million kilometer long cable network that travels the seven seas is invisible yet indispensable. More than 400 cables guarantee the perfect functioning of the Internet and enable more than 99 percent of intercontinental exchange. "With open cards" gives insights into the unknown history of a network in which states, secret services and Internet giants are more interested than ever.

Spain on the verge of a nervous breakdown: Catalonia, the richest region in the country, declared itself independent without the consent of the government. All just a bluff? Certainly not, because Madrid and Barcelona have been in a clinch for a long time ... A look back at a crisis that has been brewing for over ten years and is now shaking the whole of Europe. [arte]

People all over the world are drawn to cities and urban agglomerations, where they expect jobs and a high quality of life. As a result of urbanization, large cities continue to grow, which in turn leads to ever denser urban traffic, road congestion and ever-increasing air pollution. What could the urban infrastructure of the future look like? [arte]

Time seems to have stood still in this small country - the streets are still reminiscent of the era of the Soviet Union. The breakaway territory has so far remained without international recognition and has become a figure in Russia's political power struggle with the EU.

Meanwhile, the conflict not only divides North Africa and Europe, but even the UN Security Council: According to UN reports, one of the last unresolved colonial conflicts is smouldering in Western Sahara. For 50 years, the resource-rich desert area with access to the sea has been at the centre of an endless competition between Morocco, which owns 80 percent of the country's territory, and Algeria, which supports the Sahrawi independence fighters. Meanwhile, the conflict not only divides North Africa and Europe, but even the UN Security Council, which does not want to destabilise the jihadist uprising region any further. [arte]

Ten years after independence, Kosovo is still in a difficult situation. Because it is not recognised by the international community and several European states, it is not economically viable and a fertile ground for corruption and mafia structures. Today more than ever, this small European country is struggling for the long-awaited autonomy. [arte]

With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the Red Sea became a transit zone, an area of economic and cultural exchange between Asia, Africa and Europe. As a hub of international trade, the Red Sea is one of the busiest routes for tankers and container ships. It is no wonder that it is now arousing the greatest geopolitical interest and that various states are stationing their armies on the coasts. [arte]

New Caledonia belongs to France and yet is 18,000 kilometres from Paris; a full 2,000 kilometres separate the island from its nearest neighbour Australia. The New Caledonian economy is flourishing thanks to nickel deposits, but also thanks to money from France, which accounts for more than 47 percent of the budget. What role does the French archipelago play in Mächteringen in the Pacific, where Chinese influence continues to grow? What do Kanaken, Caldoches, newly arrived Europeans and other minorities have in common? What is the future for the island? [arte]

How did it get this far in Venezuela? The country has the largest oil reserves in the world. Nevertheless, the country's economy, politics and society are now in serious crisis against the backdrop of increasing state repression. From Simón Bolívar to Hugo Chávez to Nicolás Maduro. Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. Nevertheless, the country's economy, politics and society are now in serious crisis against the backdrop of increasing state repression. From Simón Bolívar to Hugo Chávez to Nicolás Maduro - "With open cards" we have investigated how things could get this far. [arte]

From the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 to the rise of the terrorist organization IS: "Open Cards" traces developments in Iraq, which has been striving for peace and stability since the parliamentary elections of May 2018. After 15 years of war, is the country ready to develop from a mosaic state into a nation? After 15 years of war, is Iraq ready to develop from a mosaic state into a nation? Could the burgeoning Iraqi nationalism lead the country to reject foreign interference in the future? From the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 16 May 1916 to the rise of the terrorist organization IS: "With open cards", the development in Iraq, which has been striving for peace and stability since the parliamentary elections of May 2018, is tracing. [arte]

Since the last elections in the US and France, every state has understood that cybercompetence is inevitable to prevent risks and dangers. "With open maps" traces a new geopolitical area: cyberspace. For cyber attacks are a danger to which private individuals, companies and states alike are exposed. Cyber attacks are a danger to which private individuals, companies and states are equally exposed. Since the last elections in the US and France, every state has understood that cyber competence is inevitable to prevent risks and dangers. "With open maps" traces a new geopolitical area: cyberspace. [arte]

"With open cards" shows the country behind the postcard backdrop: The former Kingdom of Siam is one of the few exotic countries that have never been colonized. Today it is part of Thailand and a popular tourist destination. Few people know that human rights are not a concern here. The country has experienced no less than 17 coups d'état since 1932. The former Kingdom of Siam is one of the few exotic countries that have never been colonized. Today it is mostly part of Thailand and with its paradisiacal beaches a popular travel destination. Few people know that human rights are not a concern here. The country with the untouchable royal house, a military junta and a very unstable political situation has experienced no less than 17 coups d'état since 1932. "With open cards" shows Thailand behind the postcard scenery. [arte]

The Democratic Republic of Congo has countless natural resources: Coltan, cobalt, copper, gold and diamonds are stored under the hot earth of the Central African country. But this wealth was not always a blessing - envy and foreign desires led to the fact that the exploitation of precious resources was never peaceful. Portrait of a tortured republic from the Belgian colonial period to independence, from the spillover of the Rwandan civil war to the countless regional conflicts and the Mafia machinations of the presidents Mobutu and Kabila to the still omnipresent corruption. [arte]

Since the annexation of the Crimea by Russia in 2014, Sweden has been living in fear. The Scandinavian country has a maritime border with Russia and fears an attack by its incalculable neighbour, whom it is already accusing of unauthorised entry into its maritime and air space. How realistic is such a scenario? The answer can be found in the history books ... [arte]

The race between the two Asian giants has begun: When China launched the "New Silk Road" project in 2013, India responded with its own trade route concept. As a counterweight to China's growing influence, India wants to expand cooperation with its immediate neighbours in the Indian Ocean, but also deepen relations with Japan and the USA. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to help his country achieve a position in the world comparable to that of China. The race between the two Asian giants has begun: When China launched the "New Silk Road" project in 2013, India responded with its own trade route concept. As a counterweight to China's growing influence, India wants to expand cooperation with its immediate neighbours in the Indian Ocean, but also deepen relations with Japan and the USA. But is the country on the right track with this strategy? [arte]

In the 21st century there is a trend towards convergence between politics and religion. For example, a politicization of Hinduism can be observed, and in Russia President Putin seeks contact with the Russian Orthodox Church. In times of globalisation, have secular and spiritual rulers understood the benefits they can derive from cooperation? The pilgrimage to Mecca, also called Hajj, which every Muslim should undertake at least once in his life, is today for Saudi Arabia not only an important economic factor, but also an instrument of power. In general, the 21st century has seen an increasing trend towards convergence between politics and religion. For example, a politicization of Hinduism can be observed since the Hindu nationalists have been in power in India, and in Russia President Putin seeks contact with the Russian Orthodox Church. In times of globalization and loss of identity, secular and spiritual rulers seem to have understood the great benefits they can derive from cooperation. From Jerusalem to Lourdes and Kerbala to Mecca, this new trend strengthens the popularity and influence of the world's major holy sites. [arte]