Territories That Countries (Maybe) Shouldn't Have

▶ In this video I talk about territories that countries maybe shouldn't have. Not necessarily defending they should lose them, but opening the door to understand why they have it and whether or not that ownership is questionable; either because of strange borders, status as distant domains, or the existence of specific national identities that would prefer being independent or part of another country. Looking into examples such as Tibet, in China; Kurdistan, in Iraq; Guantánamo Bay in Cuba, but controlled by the United States; Western Papua which is ruled by Indonesia; Cabinda, Angola's disconnected exclave; Ceuta, Melilla and the other Plazas de Soberania that Spain controls in Morocco; Gibraltar, the UK's overseas dominion in the Iberian Peninsula; as well as the Finnish / Swedish Åland Islands.

▶ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
00:39 Tibet (China)
02:40 Kurdistan (Iraq)
03:24 Guantánamo (USA)
04:17 Western Papua (Indonesia)
05:14 Cabinda (Angola)
06:09 Ceuta & Melilla (Spain)
07:28 Gibraltar (UK)
08:40 Åland Islands (Finland)
09:47 Summary

▶ A special thank you to my Patrons: Jeffrey F, Kris Rizakis, Sebastian Karlo, Señor Valasco, Yasin Chaykh, Stuart Tunstead, Chaim laser, Robinhio84, Rogaine Ablar, The Wanton Dogfish, Yeti, Elizabeth Per, Juan Rodriguez Forero, Lastmatix, Kalvin Saccal, Ahmed Alkooheji, Steve the Goat, KR, Ryan Keith, Ryan McMurry, Richard Hartzell.

▶ Thanks for watching, remember to subscribe to catch future videos!

[General.Knowledge]

*Any other territories you think a country shouldn't have?*

[Elvenpath]

General Knowledge giving up on his ability to visit China, half the Middle East, and Indonesia for our sakes.
What a legend.

[jst]

Why does the CCP insist on calling things peaceful when we know it’s not. Be upfront. You wanted Tibet and you took it because you wanted it. Not to liberate a people who liked their government.

[damiano-the-ranker]

Hello i am kurdish, honestly as long as the iraqi goverment dosent discriminate against us kurds and is actually a competent goverment i would be completely fine with us staying as part of iraq, right now our leadership (kurdish politicians to be exact) arent exactly the best of people and dont care about their people, so if the iraqi goverment proves to care more about us than our own goverment then i rather stay with them

[delta]

The case of Western Sahara is heart breaking. Annexed and colonised by Marocco but nobody cares...

[johnhemphill]

Kurdistan should be independent, ever since World War I this was promised and they pose no threat to others if they get some freedom

[sotirismitzolis]

The Canary islands weren't deserted upon setlement.

[ahmetgunes]

East Turkestan, Inner Mongolia, Manchuria are also different countries. Historical and ethnical China is the Eastern parts only.

[chaosXPRT]

This is comment section is gonna be full of people saying "The US shouldn't have Hawaii or Alaska or Puerto Rico or Texas or...."

[angellopezbravosculptor]

In the context of Spanish history, it's crucial to recognize that Ceuta, Melilla, and the Canary Islands are as much a part of Spain as any mainland province. These territories have been Spanish long before the current concept of nations like Morocco was even conceived.

Ceuta and Melilla have been under Spanish rule since the 15th century, predating the establishment of Morocco as a state by two centuries. These cities are fully integrated into Spain’s administrative framework, treated just like any other province, with representatives in the national parliament and subject to the same laws as the rest of the country.

Similarly, the Canary Islands were annexed by the Crown of Castile in the 15th century, also well before Morocco's national formation. Today, they enjoy autonomy within Spain, having their own government and legislative powers, much like any other autonomous community in Spain.

The situation of Gibraltar adds another layer to Spain’s complex territorial history. Seized by the British during the War of Spanish Succession, Gibraltar remains under British control despite being geographically part of the Iberian Peninsula. This is in stark contrast to Ceuta, Melilla, and the Canary Islands, which have consistently been governed by Spain.

Regarding the term "colonies, " it’s misleading when applied to Spain’s historical territories. During its imperial era, Spain organized its overseas domains into viceroyalties and captaincies general, which were integral parts of the kingdom, with the same rights and responsibilities as any province in mainland Spain. Thus, calling these places "colonies" does not accurately reflect their status within the Spanish Empire.

It’s vital to understand the enduring connection of Ceuta, Melilla, and the Canary Islands to Spain. Their historical, cultural, and administrative ties to the country affirm their status as undeniable parts of the Spanish nation, dispelling any notion of them being mere transient holdings.

[Francesco-sufg]

France still have a lot territories that they shouldn't have

[jaska]

Åland people would not want to be part of Sweden, In Sweden it would be just a one Swedish town and very little control over themself. Now they are much higher autonomy. So high that very few people in Åland support independence either.

[jlm]

Puerto Rico(USA)
We are a different country with our own history, culture, and Spanish is the dominant language. All those referendums that say we want statehood are total BS, they are non-binding and have low turnout, its really like 30% that want statehood, and they are just a loud minority. Statehood will never happen and it never should, there's way to many obstacles blocking it from happening, and if somehow it did happen it would be detrimental to both the US and Puerto Rico financially, politically, and culturally.

[MrPbhuh]

5:20 there is so much more to say about west papua like how the Dutch kept it nominally till 1960, years after Indonesian independence, and it was the UN who forced the Dutch to give it up.

[gabilipogabilipo]

There is a similar story but a one not too many people now and speak about. It is about a Croatian controlled peninsula called Istra that was never really Croatian. For most of its history it belonged to the Italians and even to the Austrians. Even today there is a very strong Italian minority in the whole peninsula and everything is in two languages - Croatian and Italian. I am from Croatian and have been to Istra many times and it really does remind of Italy.

[lastmatix]

You forgot Kaliningrad, just to complete the list of countries you won't be able to travel to. Would that then be divided between Poland and Lithuania, given to Germany (for old times sake) or become independent?

[darriendastar]

For what could have been a pretty contentious topic, you provided a well balanced and excelently researched short guide. It was very impressive..Thank you for the time you took to make it - and well done.

[SimplifiedSam]

It is highly ignorant to say that the Plazas de soberania shouldn’t belong to spain. They have been Spanish for centuries and are culturally and linguistically Spanish, and have no desire to join Morocco. Just because it looks weird on a map doesn’t mean it’s any less Spanish

[EmmaWargh]

As a Swedish speaking Finn not from Åland I would be very sad to see Åland go. I feel that it'd be even harder to protect our language rights in a scenario where Åland is no longer part of Finland. Also, if Åland left Finland because of language, why not Ostrobothnia as well? It's got a small majority of Swedish speakers

[kuroazrem]

The Canary Islands were not deserted when the Castillians arrived. They were inhabited by native Guanche people, who are amazigh in origin, and which were exterminated by the Castillians. So.. yeah.