I've often heard statements that the Middle East was once more heavily forested in the days before Alexander. Is there any truth to this and do we have any accounts from of the time of this being the case? What might have caused the region to become drier?

What were planes built of in the Second World War by the United States? I am asking mainly about the aircraft's airframe and body.

I understand that the complete armor did not exist yet, in some cases only metal plates were used on the chest and thighs during the first part of 13th c.

The saying goes that the HRE is not Holy, not Roman and not an Empire. Is it accurate to say that it was not an empire? How do historians define "Empire", and how does the HRE fall short from that definition?

Is this a relationship that existed even in antiquity?

Also, what are the roots of our current usage of guide-dogs as aids for the visually impaired? Was there a specific pioneer for this in the modern era?

I was notified that my question wasn't clear.

So to clarify:

After the end of the War of the Spanish succession, the control of the Spanish Netherlands went to Austria. My understanding is that they didn't really want it, however, there was an intent on not letting France take over. Am I wrong on the reluctance of Austria and the intent on not letting France take over? If the answer is yes, then where does it originate from?

If this looks familiar, I'm the guy that asked the same thing about the '60s more than a week ago.

Logan's Run and Soylent Green were some of the more prominent sci-fi films of the 1970s, reflecting contemporary fears of social decay and oligarchic governments respectively. Environmentalism and ZPG were on the rise: hence, the concept of 'dome cities' and global cooling. Soviet-American cooperation in space travel seemed to be a common prediction. But how about geopolitics? What were some popular ideas about the future of Red China, their conflict with the Soviets, the revolutionary movements in the Middle East, and the situation in disillusioned Europe? I've seen wildly varying opinions on the matter from the period, so it's been hard to pin down anything particular. Some say "western decline", others say "eastern decline".

Moreover, because I'm writing a story based on a conglomeration of far-fetched futuristic ideas from the '70s, I'll throw this one out: was there any radical push for separatism in the United States? Cascadia and the Republic of New Afrika come to mind.

The Catholic Church's stance on the papacy of Rome is the following: the Pope of Rome has universal jurisdiction over the whole Church, as the successor of Peter, who is the rock upon which the Church is built and who alone received the Keys of Heaven and made authoritative declarations among the apostles. He can never officially proclaim something false to be the truth, and as such can proclaim dogma infallibly on his own, under certain circumstances.

The Eastern Orthodox Church's stance on the papacy of Rome is the following: the Pope of Rome has jurisdiction over the Church of Rome, and nothing more. However, while he is equal to every other bishop, he is given a high place of honor due to being the successor of Peter and due to ruling over a Church that has held onto the orthodox faith: as such, he may solve disputes and appoint bishops outside of his own jurisdiction, if required.

I am curious to know, which view is closer to how the papacy was understood and exercised during the first centuries of the Church, as well as the 1st millenium?

The popular manga Vagabond, loosely based on true events, shows the two as somewhat friends, but I can't find anything about the two meeting on the Internet. Did they ever even meet each other?

The reason I ask is because I spoke to a guy today who claimed to have not arrived via ship and instead got there by a transport aircraft. I was under the impression that there was no way British forces could use an air bridge while Argentine forces held Stanley, and the only air insertion I know of was Lt Col Chaundler's "James Bond" like entry into the conflict.

So is there some unknown air bridge to Chilie or something or is the guy talking shit.

How common were this businesses?