Notes
conquest 征服;
steppe ステップ、(特にシベリア・アジアの)大草原;
fertile: /fˈəːtɑɪl/〈土地が〉肥えた，肥沃な;
fuel: 刺激する，あおる;
flourish: ˈflʌɹ.ɪʃ/ 繁盛する、盛大である、活躍する;

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In the late 1100s, the Mongol tribes were divided, but by the early 1200s, they united and began expanding their empire. Genghis Khan played a crucial role in their conquest, but a study suggests that favorable climate changes also contributed. The Mongol steppes, their grasslands, became greener and more fertile with increased rainfall and mild temperatures. This benefited their vital horses, fueling the Mongol military. The improved climate helped the Mongol Empire flourish

While climate change wasn’t the sole reason for their conquests, it played a significant role. Other civilizations, like the Anasazi and the Angkor, faced similar climate shifts and devastating droughts. (Adapted from Time’s artcile “How Climate Change Drove the Rise of Genghis Khan”)

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Notes
Self-defense Forces 自衛隊;

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“Time” magazine is one of the best-known news magazines in the world. It has four different editions, one for the U.S., one for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, one for Asia, and one for the South Pacific. The latest edition is interesting because King Charles III is on the front cover of three editions, but Prime Minister Kishida in on the cover of the Asian edition. “Time” chose him because he is the chair of this year’s G7 Summit. It will be held in his hometown of Hiroshima City. The article says that Kishida has been a successful prime minister because he is quiet and hardworking. However, not everyone in Japan is happy with his idea of making the country’s Self-defense Forces (“jieitai”) stronger. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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Image from Time magazine’s website.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appears on the cover of Time magazine’s (online edition).