How Geography Explains Our World, With Tim Marshall

If you have ever found yourself trying to make sense of the headlines about global conflicts or international relations, you might be interested in a talk coming to the Brighton Dome on September 28, 2026. Tim Marshall, the author known for Prisoners of Geography, is hosting an event titled 'How Geography Explains Our World'. It is essentially a deep dive into his perspective that you cannot really understand global politics without looking at the physical map of the world. This session coincides with the 10th-anniversary edition of his book, which has been updated to cover recent events like the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and the ongoing competition between the US and China.

Marshall, who spent over 30 years reporting from 40 different countries as a diplomatic editor for Sky News, plans to break down his thesis using specific, tangible examples. He will be discussing things like why China faces such significant challenges in invading Taiwan—pointing to the 130km strait, the difficult coastlines, and the tides—as well as why Greenland has become a strategic focal point for Russia due to its Arctic access and mineral resources. He also touches on how geography helps explain why certain leaders, like Bashar al-Assad in Syria, have managed to maintain control by holding onto key cities. It is a practical look at how terrain and borders shape the decisions nations make.

The event is scheduled for 19:00 at the Corn Exchange within the Brighton Dome. It is structured as a presentation followed by a Q&A session where the audience can ask questions directly. The whole thing runs for about an hour and a half with no interval. Standard tickets are priced at £30.50, and there is also an option to watch via a live stream starting at £9.99 if you cannot make it in person. While the content is suitable for a general audience, it is recommended for those aged 14 and up. It seems like a straightforward evening for anyone interested in geopolitics or just wanting a bit more context on why the world looks the way it does today.