1991-2010

Physical Sciences | Biological Sciences | World Sociology
New World | Europe | Middle East | Africa | The East

Physical Sciences
     Construction begins in 1994 on a joint U.S.-Soviet Space Station, built with assistance from Japan and the European Space Agency. The ESA pulls out of the project in 1999. By 2004 a continuous crew of twenty is living and working in space, testing zero-g industrial and medical procedures.
     Discovery of large petroleum sources in Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, nearly doubling the Earth's known oil reserves.
     Discovery of first room temperature superconductor in 1995. Use of superconductors rapidly spreads to all fields, especially to computer science, allowing computers to achieve speeds previously undreamed of. In the 2000's, maglev trains based on superconductors are designed. Construction begins on maglev mass transit systems in the U.S., Japan, the U.K., Canada and Saudi Arabia.
     Advances made in airplane designs. The speed and safety of air travel increase dramatically. In 1999, the X-30 Orient Express Aerospace Plane begins runs between Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, London, Paris, Berlin and Sydney. By the end of the first decade of the 21st century, aerospace planes are running regularly between 37 cities worldwide.
     Advances made in solar energy production, but commercial use is still limited to small scale.
     A joint U.S./Brazilian fusion reactor is built in Porto Alegre. In 2007 first tests begin, but the reactor completely fails to work for unknown reasons.

Biological Sciences
     Global warming becomes a reality -- climactic turmoil across the world as weather patterns shift. Desertification becomes a critical problem. Sea level rises 1 meter by the year 2000, and an additional 2 meters by 2010. Lowlands throughout the world are flooded, many cities are forced to protect themselves with dikes.
     In 1992 the AIDS virus is discovered to be the work of genetic engineering. Strict international laws are set on biological weapons. AIDS continues to spread, but at a slow rate. A major outbreak occurs in India.
     The Sahel drought reaches catastrophic proportions. The Sahara is expanding at up to ten miles a year. World food prices rise.
     The Antarctic hole in the ozone layer is discovered to be a natural phenomenon with no connection to mankind. While pollution is affecting the ozone, it is replenished at a rate far greater than originally expected.
     In the Sea of Japan, two massive oil spill occur within one week, killing off 80% of the sea life.
     Minor genetic engineering leads to a number of developments, including disease resistant crops, more productive farm animals, and prototype aquaculture.
     In 1996, it is revealed that Exxon had developed an oil-eating bacterium, but has not used it for fear of it being used to destroy oil wells. All of Exxon's lab cultures were destroyed, but other scientists begin working along similar lines.
     A new illegal street drug known as Mnem hits the market in the late 1990's. It provides short term total recall and is in high use among college students.
     In 1996, first killer bees spotted in Texas.
     First cultured lung tissue used in a transplant in 2002. Cultured liver tissue successfully transplanted in 2006.

World Sociology
     Urbanization continues to increase dramatically. By 2000, 70% of the world's population lives in urban centers. Increase of urban social problems - crime, drugs, breakdown of the nuclear family.
     Satellites make worldwide communication cheap and routine. Cellular phones are common, first visiphones are available in the 1990's but don't start to really blossom until the 2000's. Increased communications lead to hundreds of specialty channels in television, more public access to the media, and an increase in sensationalist journalism.
     The "Computer Boom" slows down considerably as new developments outstrip usage. Many companies, tired of constantly installing new hardware, refuse to buy unnecessary upgrades. There is an increase in standardization in the computer market. Inability of the current phone lines to handle the growing networking; massive upgrades in the communications infrastructure fail to meet demand, and the projected growth of a world computer network is delayed.

New World
     In 1993 Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama form the Central American Economic Community, unifying their economies.
     The First OAS Summit is held in 1996. Through a combination of creative refinancing, massive defense cuts, and loan cancellations and consolidations, the assembled nations virtually eliminate the foreign debts of all American nations. The Second OAS Summit, held in 1998, sees the signing of the American Economic Treaty, beginning the economic unification of the Americas - plans to eliminate all barriers to money, trade and labor by 2018. The Fourth OAS Summit (2008) initiates talks to begin political union of the OAS and the creation of a supranational government. All Western hemisphere nations are members except Cuba.
     In 1994, the first Libertarians are elected to the U.S. Congress. The Libertarian Party grows in influence, backed by Christian Fundamentalists and the New Age movement. In the late 1990's, the New Age movement begins to form organized churches, including the United New Age Church, Limboism (an offshoot of Zen Buddhism and Hinduism), and Gaeanism (militant environmentalists). In 2004 Dan Quayle is elected president of the U.S. as a Libertarian.
     In the late 1990's, the "drug war" comes to an end when the U.S. government legalizes many drugs, including marijuana and, later, cocaine (the latter under severe restrictions). In 2006, tobacco is declared illegal.
     Economic unification of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in 1996. Political unification follows five years later. CARICOM is a leading proponent of American unification.
     In response to the oil boom of South America, Venezuela and Ecuador leave OPEC and form the American Oil Consortium in 1998, along with Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, the United States, Uruguay and Suriname. The new organization is founded under OAS auspices.

Europe
     Germany is united in 1992. By treaty, the new united Germany remains a member of both NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
     In the early years of the decade, Austria, East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Czechoslovakia all join the European Communities. France begins to push for political unification. Rapid economic reform in Eastern Europe leads to economic chaos. Unemployment rises to over 40% in Romania and Hungary, somewhat less in eastern Germany and Czechoslovakia. Only Poland's economic reforms are truly successful. While massive financial aid pours from Western to Eastern Europe, a flood of immigrants flows in the opposite direction. Coupled with increasing automation, unemployment rises in the West. By 1996, the EC is split between a pro-union side (France, Germany and Benelux) and those who are beginning to think the whole thing was a bad idea to start with (Britain and Poland).
     Following the new Soviet Constitution, in 1993 Lithuania cedes from the Soviet Union, though retaining military and economic ties. Estonia and Latvia follow in 1994 and Moldavia in 1996. Azerbaijan applies for secession, but is held up by technicalities.
     In the late 1990's unemployment continues to rise throughout Europe as the entire economy starts to slide. There are protests in Eastern Europe to bring back communism, while protests in Western Europe blame the easterners for the problems. Both sides resent the growing North African minority population. A newly formed Islamic party becomes a major force in Italian politics. Increasing sea level rise forces the gradual abandonment of much of Venice, the Netherlands, northern Germany, the lower Danube and parts of Denmark and Belgium. Millions of citizens are displaced, adding to the economic turmoil.
     In 1997, Soviet President Gorbachev is assassinated. Conservative
     forces temporarily return to power. In 1998, Armenia and Azerbaijan attempt to cede from the Soviet Union. Moscow refuses and Soviet troops are sent to put down the ensuing uprising. Protests flare up throughout the Soviet Union. The conservatives are thrown out of power in Moscow. Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Tadzhikstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenia and Khirgizia all cede from the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan reaches an accord with Iran and becomes an Iranian state.
     In 1998 The Conservative Party comes to power in Germany and presses demands for the return of German lands lost to Poland in World War II. There is even talk of regaining Alsace-Lorraine from France.
     In the early years of the new century, the EC falls completely apart. British, Polish, Romanian, Danish and Greek delegates walk out of the European Parliament in 2002. France and Germany rush through a political union of the remaining members, forming the United States of Europe, and sue those who left for economic damages. There is political and economic chaos throughout Europe. Germany declares war on Poland and attempts to regain East Prussia. Spain and Portugal cede from the USE, USE troops invade across the Pyrenees. Fighting breaks out between UK and USE troops in Northern Ireland and rapidly escalates. In 2004, the USE collapses into civil war. Fighting breaks out between Germans and French, Italians and French, and Romanians and Hungarians. Fighting in Italy between Muslims and Christians. For the rest of the decade brush wars and chaos proliferate throughout continental Europe. The UK becomes increasingly isolationist, except for their conflict with Ireland.
     In 2009 Switzerland buys from Italy the sunken ruins of Venice, along with transit rights to the city through Italian territory. The Swiss plan to build their own Mediterranean port facility.

Middle East
     In 1992 Iran and Iraq sign a formal peace treaty.
     In 1994 North Cyprus is recognized as an independent state by most nations.
     Rapid industrialization of the Arabian Peninsula continues. Competition from South America only increases the pace. Later in the new century, turmoil in Europe leads to a shift of world tourism toward the Middle East. Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Kuwait become major tourist cities as resorts spring up all along the Persian Gulf.
     In 1997 Israel starts deporting Palestinians en masse to Lebanon and Jordan in order to make room for increasing numbers of Jewish immigrants from Europe and the Soviet Union. The U.S. cuts all aid to Israel.
     In 1994 a fragile peace settles over Lebanon. The country is de facto divided into a half dozen independent states. Fighting breaks out again in 2001. Syria invades and Israel intervenes to counter Syria. By 2003, Syria, aided by Palestinian exiles, is in firm control of the country. Compromises are made with moderate Christian factions; militant Christians factions are crushed. In 2005 Syria annexes Lebanon.

Africa
     After years of talks, the vote is finally given to blacks in South Africa in 1995. However, constitutional protections still give the white minority a disproportionate share of representation, and they retain control over most businesses. In 1996, militant Afrikaaners blow up the Parliament building, killing many black leaders, including Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu. Anti-white riots are sparked across the nation. Two months later, a quickly thrown together Parliament votes to abolish the constitution. Civil war breaks out between whites and blacks. The Afrikaaner militia in South Africa, badly outnumbered, begin to use chemical warfare against black townships. Thousands die. The black militia retaliate in kind. By 1998, over a million people have died and many whites have fled the country. A militant black South African state is formed.
     Shocked by events in South Africa, U.N. members pass anti-chemical warfare treaties, completely eliminating the production and stockpiling of chemical weapons worldwide, with clauses for strict enforcement and harsh penalties.
     In 1999 war breaks out between Libya and Chad.
     Throughout most of the period, political chaos and annual coups are the norm in Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Niger, Mali, the Central African Republic and Senegambia. Populations continue to rise and huge numbers of refugees begin to flow southward, causing overcrowding and famine throughout much of central and west Africa. Mob border patrols, often with government consent, in Nigeria, Zaire, Kenya, Benin, Togo, Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Guinea begin shooting those who attempt to cross their northern borders.
     By the new century, the population of North Africa is actually beginning to drop due to famine and the continuing flow of immigrants to Europe and central Africa. Desertification becomes critical along the southern Mediterranean coast and begins to affect the northern Mediterranean.
     South Africa begins exporting "Africanism", a philosophy of harsh, militant government with anti-white, anti-Western sentiment. It soon becomes a major political force in much of sub-Saharan Africa.

The East
     In 1991, U.N. forces move into Cambodia to restore order. In 1993 the U.N. leaves Cambodia after democratic elections are held. Four months later the country again collapses into internecine warfare.
     Dr. Kim, an eminent Korean political historian, defines modern "Pan-Asianism" in his work The Destiny of Asia.
     In 1993, the last of the Chinese Communist Long Marchers die. The Chinese reform movement slowly begins to rebuild.
     Fighting in India's Kashmir and Punjab provinces intensifies. Pakistan backs the secessionists. In 2000 India and Pakistan sign an accord creating an independent state of Kashmir, ending the conflict there. Unrest continues in Punjab and martial law is declared in 2001. Violent protests are sparked, leading to the massacre of thousands of Hindus in Punjab. The Indian army arrives in force and crushes the rebellion, many are killed.
     The destruction of Japan's fishing industry leads to a victory by a Socialist/Green Party coalition in 1995, toppling the Liberal Democratic administration. Japan enacts the strongest environmental laws of any nation.
     China promises economic autonomy to Hong Kong to prevent flight of capital from the city. In 1999 Hong Kong becomes part of China.
     Democracy comes to Taiwan in 1997 when the nation holds its first free elections. In 1998 Taiwan declares itself an independent republic and relinquishes all claims to rule mainland China. In 2001, China recognizes Taiwan as a sovereign state.
     In 1999 Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore form a common market, the East Asian Economic Coalition (EAEC), their answer to the European Community and the Organization of American States. In 2003 China signs an economic affiliation treaty with the EAEC, though remaining officially outside the organization.
     A fundamentalist Islamic revolt takes control of Indonesia in 2001. In the following years, Indonesia is racked by pogroms and millions flee the country. Indonesia is expelled from the ASEAN in 2004 because of severe human rights abuses. The ASEAN begins to turn more and more to the EAEC for economic aid. Industrialization in Southeast Asia increases dramatically.
     Mass anti-communist demonstrations occur in North Korea in 2003, and the government eventually falls after a short but bloody revolution. Talks are immediately begun to unite the two Koreas. In 2005, Korea is politically united. By 2009, the North Korean economy is integrated into the EAEC.
     Abandoned by the Soviets, the Vietnamese economy begins to fail. Capitalist reforms are instituted. Aid is sent by the EAEC.
     Millions of people flee Bangladesh and the lowlands of Burma, Thailand and Vietnam as coastal waters rise. Many are accepted as refugees in Australia and the United States; most remain homeless wanderers in India and Burma.
     A quarter million die of AIDS in south-central Asia, including 80,000 children. The Bengali refugees merely exacerbate the problem. The U.N. pledges a worldwide technological effort to save Bangladesh.
     Mongolia joins the EAEC in 2008. Their capital is renamed after Genghis Khan. The Mongolians become major proponents of Pan-Asianism.
     Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and most of the South Pacific island nations form the Oceania Economic Commonwealth. The OEC is only a loose economic alliance and never amounts to much.
     In 2009, the ASEAN and the EAEC sign an economic treaty removing many trade barriers and assuring regular joint consultation on many matters of common interest to the two groups.

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