Nations & Places
1160 entities tracked across Lowdown briefings. Page 17 of 20.
Sirik
Mainland Iranian coastal port and county in Hormozgan; Gulf of Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz.
Mainland Iranian coastal port and county in Hormozgan; Gulf of Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz.
Sistan-BaluchistanIran's south-eastern province bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan; long-running Baluch insurgency theatre.
Iran's south-eastern province bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan; long-running Baluch insurgency theatre.
Sitra
Bahraini island hosting the country's principal oil refinery; struck by Iranian drone shrapnel, 8 April 2026.
Bahraini island hosting the country's principal oil refinery; struck by Iranian drone shrapnel, 8 April 2026.
Situation Room
The White House Situation Room, the US president's secure crisis-management facility
The White House Situation Room, the US president's secure crisis-management facility
Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal
Ukrainian canal in Donetsk Oblast; reached by Russian forces during the Slovyansk push in early June 2026.
Ukrainian canal in Donetsk Oblast; reached by Russian forces during the Slovyansk push in early June 2026.
Skrydstrup
Town in southern Denmark hosting a Danish Air Force F-35 base and, from 2026, a Fire Point solid-rocket-fuel production plant.
Town in southern Denmark hosting a Danish Air Force F-35 base and, from 2026, a Fire Point solid-rocket-fuel production plant.
Sleipner A
Equinor-operated offshore gas processing platform in the North Sea; routes gas from nearby fields into the Gassled pipeline network.
Equinor-operated offshore gas processing platform in the North Sea; routes gas from nearby fields into the Gassled pipeline network.
Slough
Berkshire town; UK's densest data-centre cluster, grid exhausted as of 2026.
Berkshire town; UK's densest data-centre cluster, grid exhausted as of 2026.
Slovakia
Central European EU/NATO state; Druzhba and TurkStream dependent; contesting the EU gas import ban.
Central European EU/NATO state; Druzhba and TurkStream dependent; contesting the EU gas import ban.
Slovenia
Central European EU/NATO state of 2.1 million; home nation of the World Cup final's referee.
Central European EU/NATO state of 2.1 million; home nation of the World Cup final's referee.
SlovianskNorthern anchor city of Ukraine's Donetsk fortress belt, paired with Kramatorsk.
Northern anchor city of Ukraine's Donetsk fortress belt, paired with Kramatorsk.
SnizhneA city in Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine.
A city in Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine.
Socorro CountySecond New Mexico county to restrict data centres, preceding Sierra County's moratorium.
Second New Mexico county to restrict data centres, preceding Sierra County's moratorium.
Sofia
Bulgarian capital; population 1.28 million; gateway to Bulgaria's new digital nomad visa launched January 2026.
Bulgarian capital; population 1.28 million; gateway to Bulgaria's new digital nomad visa launched January 2026.
SoFi StadiumLos Angeles venue hosting eight FIFA 2026 matches including USMNT's opening game and Iran vs New Zealand.
Los Angeles venue hosting eight FIFA 2026 matches including USMNT's opening game and Iran vs New Zealand.
Sohar
Omani port city on the Gulf of Oman; site of the conflict's first deaths.
Omani port city on the Gulf of Oman; site of the conflict's first deaths.
SolihullWest Midlands borough where Reform UK councillor Eleonora Gough quit, calling the group toxic.
West Midlands borough where Reform UK councillor Eleonora Gough quit, calling the group toxic.
Somalia
Horn of Africa federal republic; UN/AU/Arab League member and 2026 Red Sea coalition signatory.
Horn of Africa federal republic; UN/AU/Arab League member and 2026 Red Sea coalition signatory.
Soto de Ribera
Combined-cycle gas plant in Asturias, Spain; EDP says it was offline during the 2025 blackout.
Combined-cycle gas plant in Asturias, Spain; EDP says it was offline during the 2025 blackout.
Souda Bay
NATO naval base on Crete; key US and allied logistics hub in the eastern Mediterranean.
NATO naval base on Crete; key US and allied logistics hub in the eastern Mediterranean.
South AegeanGreek region covering the Cyclades and Dodecanese; with Crete took half of 2025 overnight stays.
Greek region covering the Cyclades and Dodecanese; with Crete took half of 2025 overnight stays.
South Africa
Africa's most industrialised economy; 2026 World Cup openers, Cape route shipping hub, and strategic ambiguity on Iran.
Africa's most industrialised economy; 2026 World Cup openers, Cape route shipping hub, and strategic ambiguity on Iran.
South CarolinaSouthern US state; special Senate election follows Graham's death, congressional map fight ongoing after Callais.
Southern US state; special Senate election follows Graham's death, congressional map fight ongoing after Callais.South Central IdahoSouthern Idaho dairy belt sub-region; epicentre of the May 2026 H5N1 cattle surge from 1 to 59 herds.
Southern Idaho dairy belt sub-region; epicentre of the May 2026 H5N1 cattle surge from 1 to 59 herds.
South CroftyCornwall's historic tin mine, closed 1998, now being restarted as the UK's only domestic tin source.
Cornwall's historic tin mine, closed 1998, now being restarted as the UK's only domestic tin source.
South DakotaUS Great Plains state; 8th Circuit seat, Rounds's AI bill, and a data-centre ban law.
US Great Plains state; 8th Circuit seat, Rounds's AI bill, and a data-centre ban law.Southern ConeGeographic region of southern South America; Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, southern Brazil, Paraguay; Andes-virus endemic zone.
South GyleDistrict in west Edinburgh, Scotland, site of the former Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters at 1 Redheughs Avenue.
District in west Edinburgh, Scotland, site of the former Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters at 1 Redheughs Avenue.
South Hook LNGQatarEnergy-operated LNG import terminal in Milford Haven, Wales.
QatarEnergy-operated LNG import terminal in Milford Haven, Wales.
South Kivu
DRC province bordering Rwanda, under M23 control since 2025; first Bundibugyo case outside Ituri.
DRC province bordering Rwanda, under M23 control since 2025; first Bundibugyo case outside Ituri.
South Korea
East Asian nation, 2002 World Cup semi-finalists, Group A co-leaders after opening win over Czechia.
East Asian nation, 2002 World Cup semi-finalists, Group A co-leaders after opening win over Czechia.
South Lebanon
Southern Lebanese region where Israeli strikes killed 11 people, 15-16 August 2026, deadliest since June.
Southern Lebanese region where Israeli strikes killed 11 people, 15-16 August 2026, deadliest since June.
South ParsIranian share of the world’s largest gas field, shared with Qatar’s North Dome.
Iranian share of the world’s largest gas field, shared with Qatar’s North Dome.
South Sudan
Landlocked East African state; borders DRC and Uganda; disease-surveillance corridor for Ituri outbreak.
Landlocked East African state; borders DRC and Uganda; disease-surveillance corridor for Ituri outbreak.
South TynesideEnglish metropolitan borough council in North East England.
English metropolitan borough council in North East England.
Spaceport AmericaNew Mexico spaceport near the Green Data solar-powered data-centre proposal targeted by county moratoriums.
New Mexico spaceport near the Green Data solar-powered data-centre proposal targeted by county moratoriums.
SpainEU and NATO member; a parliamentary monarchy and one of the world's largest tourism economies.
EU and NATO member; a parliamentary monarchy and one of the world's largest tourism economies.
Sri Lanka
Island nation that interned an Iranian warship, rescued its crew, and refused US basing rights in the 2026 Iran-US conflict.
Island nation that interned an Iranian warship, rescued its crew, and refused US basing rights in the 2026 Iran-US conflict.
Stanhope Hotel
Brussels hotel; hosted the inaugural Sovereign Tech Europe conference on 23 April 2026.
Brussels hotel; hosted the inaugural Sovereign Tech Europe conference on 23 April 2026.
StarobilskA city in Russian-occupied Luhansk Oblast, eastern Ukraine.
A city in Russian-occupied Luhansk Oblast, eastern Ukraine.
Stennis Space CenterNASA propulsion test centre in Mississippi; holds four RS-25 engines for Artemis III, shipping to KSC by July 2026.
NASA propulsion test centre in Mississippi; holds four RS-25 engines for Artemis III, shipping to KSC by July 2026.
St Neots EynesburyWard on Huntingdonshire District Council in Cambridgeshire.
Ward on Huntingdonshire District Council in Cambridgeshire.
StockportGreater Manchester borough where the Liberal Democrats are targeting outright council control.
Greater Manchester borough where the Liberal Democrats are targeting outright council control.
Stockstadt
Stockstadt am Rhein aquifer gas store, current operator unconfirmed; one of six reduced-target sites.
Stockstadt am Rhein aquifer gas store, current operator unconfirmed; one of six reduced-target sites.
StormontSeat of Northern Ireland's mandatory Sinn Féin-DUP power-sharing executive and assembly.
Seat of Northern Ireland's mandatory Sinn Féin-DUP power-sharing executive and assembly.
St Petersburg
Russia's second city; where Putin hosted Araghchi at the Yeltsin Library on 27 April 2026, signalling partner not co-belligerent status.
Russia's second city; where Putin hosted Araghchi at the Yeltsin Library on 27 April 2026, signalling partner not co-belligerent status.
Strait of Hormuz33km chokepoint for a fifth of global oil and LNG; contested amid Iran conflict.
33km chokepoint for a fifth of global oil and LNG; contested amid Iran conflict.
Strandzha-1A gas metering entry point on Turkiye's border through which Russian pipeline gas transits toward Europe.
A gas metering entry point on Turkiye's border through which Russian pipeline gas transits toward Europe.
Strasbourg
French city and seat of the European Parliament's plenary sessions.
French city and seat of the European Parliament's plenary sessions.
Suez Canal
Egypt's 193km Mediterranean-Red Sea link, absorbing rerouted Gulf crude as Bab el-Mandeb closures spread.
Egypt's 193km Mediterranean-Red Sea link, absorbing rerouted Gulf crude as Bab el-Mandeb closures spread.
SuffolkEnglish county in East Anglia; LGR priority area, three new unitaries planned, Reform won council and filed parallel JR letter.
English county in East Anglia; LGR priority area, three new unitaries planned, Reform won council and filed parallel JR letter.
SumyCity in northeastern Ukraine, capital of Sumy Oblast, located roughly 50 km from the Russian border and targeted in Russia's 2026 buffer zone offensive.
City in northeastern Ukraine, capital of Sumy Oblast, located roughly 50 km from the Russian border and targeted in Russia's 2026 buffer zone offensive.
SunderlandNortheast England metropolitan borough; PollCheck projects Reform UK to take control on 7 May 2026.
Northeast England metropolitan borough; PollCheck projects Reform UK to take control on 7 May 2026.
Sussex and BrightonEnglish combined authority covering Sussex and Brighton; mayoral election postponed to May 2028.
English combined authority covering Sussex and Brighton; mayoral election postponed to May 2028.
Sweden
Nordic EU and NATO member state bordering Norway and Finland, known for near-total low-carbon electricity.
Nordic EU and NATO member state bordering Norway and Finland, known for near-total low-carbon electricity.
SwindonWiltshire town gaining Britain's largest drone factory by footprint, Tekever's 254,000 sq ft Swindon site.
Wiltshire town gaining Britain's largest drone factory by footprint, Tekever's 254,000 sq ft Swindon site.
Switzerland
Neutral alpine federal republic; diplomatic hub for the UN, ICRC, and WTO.
Neutral alpine federal republic; diplomatic hub for the UN, ICRC, and WTO.
SyntagmaCentral Athens square and district; under STR registration ban since 2024.
Central Athens square and district; under STR registration ban since 2024.
Syria
Arab republic under transitional rule since December 2024; IDF occupies a border security zone.
Arab republic under transitional rule since December 2024; IDF occupies a border security zone.
Syzran refineryRosneft refinery in Samara Oblast; shut 25 May after Ukrainian drone strike; supplies the Russian Air Force.
Rosneft refinery in Samara Oblast; shut 25 May after Ukrainian drone strike; supplies the Russian Air Force.