The ‘gateway to the West’ has for years become a relative sanctuary from the onslaught on Ukraine’s frontline. But the city and region’s long history has seen it at the centre of countless conquests

By spring 1941, the Afrika Korps was advancing across eastern Libya towards Egypt and the Suez Canal. But a dusty port town lay in their path

Civilian reactors have become strategic cover for Russian forces during their invasion of Ukraine

Controversy of the week A grim anniversary When ...

Europe’s frozen northeast became a new sacred frontier of holy war, forced conversion and occupation against Europe’s last pagans

Dr Paul Brown reveals Britain’s role in patrolling the seas during the height of Cold War tensions with the USSR