By the late 1930s the situation of the world is something like this . .
The areas of main tension and action are :-
Finland where the Soviets are being held by a resolute defence by Finnish defenders who have retreated to interior lines
The Far East where American completion of its Cavite base and its loan to its new allies in the Dutch to modernise Surabaya have raised tensions with the Japanese Empire. With the US-Australian defence pact and Britain's continuing modernisation of its Singapore base Japan is increasingly turning to Germany as an ally in an effort not to feel surrounded. The German Pacific Fleet based at Tsingtao, Paulau and Yap adds a complementary element into the equation and a growing closeness is cemented by the Kaiser's successful state visit to Japan
In China, Japanese forces have taken Peking and driven the Communists - whose aid from Stalin has dwindled of recent - Southwards in some disarray
In France Laval's League Nationale is consolidating its hold on power, 'reforming' those political institutions which still remain active despite the years of Sarrail's dictatorship and embarking on a policy of rearmament
Italy has launched its invasion of Abyssinia, the Legion d'Italia staking its first claim as the new power in the region
The Kingdom of the Hejaz, Trans-Jordania and Palestine declares itself to be the legitimate Caliphate, the deposed sultan residing in exile in Bulgaria. The declaration that Mecca is the capital of the revived Caliphate divides the Muslim world