Introduction
It seems that the millennium has changed relatively recently. However, the 21st Century has managed to be remembered for critical historical milestones and changes. The world has dramatically transformed over 20 years, and the speed of these processes is growing every year (Wince-Smith). In addition to the global agenda, there is an active influence on the relationship between local and international interests. This paper summarizes articles describing the main events of the 21st Century in different regions of the planet.
Europe in the 21st Century
In February 1992, the document establishing the European Union was signed in the city of Maastricht. The text determined the goals and ways of creating an Economic and Monetary Union in Western Europe. Since 2002, national currencies have ceased to circulate in the eurozone’s member states, and the euro has become the only monetary unit. As the “Maastricht criteria” was met, other EU countries began to join the eurozone. After the 2008 crisis, there was a lot of talk about the possible collapse of the eurozone. Although the national debts of many member states did not return to pre-crisis levels, thanks to bailout programs and austerity measures, the eurozone stabilized its economic growth by 2014.
Russia has played a critical role in shaping the international diplomatic agenda and geopolitical interests both in Europe and globally. Although the active phase of hostilities lasted only five days, it is believed that this was precisely the war – the first on the European continent in the 21st Century. Since 2004, there has been a deterioration in Russian-Georgian relations, primarily because of Saakashvili’s plans for Georgia to join NATO. In April 2008, Russia sent additional troops to Abkhazia and provoked a diplomatic crisis with Georgia. In 2014, taking advantage of the change in power in Ukraine, Russia annexed Crimea, which historically was part of the USSR, but after its collapse, went to Ukraine. The referendum held in Crimea was not recognized as legitimate by the international community, which is why relations with Russia deteriorated significantly.
East Asia In The 21st Century
By the beginning of the 21st Century, the eastern economies, also referred to as the Four Asian Tigers, had firmly taken an economic and strategic position on the world stage thanks to significant GDP growth. This club includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. In addition, the concept of a socialist market economy has given a breakthrough to the Chinese economy. China also introduced the “One Country, Two Systems” framework for the division of regions. Thanks to it, Hong Kong and Macau could fully transition to a capitalist development model.
Initially, the South China Sea dispute began as a sluggish confrontation. The Vietnamese-Chinese tensions played the primary role over the ownership of the Paracel and Spratly islands. Gradually, this conflict escalated as it became clear that there were significant reserves of oil and gas under the water. The tensions in the East Asia region are also represented by the confrontation between North and South Koreas. At the same time, in India, under the influence of the nationalist party and the President of Fashion, corruption is rampant, violation of the rights and freedoms of citizens, substantial social and gender inequality.
Africa In The 21st Century
The situation in the Sudanese region of Darfur is called one of the largest humanitarian disasters of the 21st Century. Moreover, international human rights activists use the term “genocide” to describe what is happening there. In 2004, the UN formally accused the Janjaweed of systematically killing civilians in Darfur. In neighboring Nigeria, Boko Haram emerged as a local movement, advocating the creation of an Islamic state, and over time has become a significant factor of instability throughout West Africa. Moreover, engulfed in nearly two decades of internal armed conflict, Somalia suffers from food shortages and needs urgent humanitarian assistance.
Against this backdrop, the economic boom in South Africa is noteworthy. Economic growth has helped the country join the BRICS. However, the country still has a massive number of social problems to be solved. This is exacerbated by a crisis triggered by unsanitary conditions and leading to the spread of dangerous diseases. Ebola, HIV, AIDS, and more recently, new coronavirus strains claim thousands of people’s lives every year. Many regions of Africa also experience food shortages and problems with maternal health.
The Americas In The 21st Century
Despite difficulties with corruption, Brazil has achieved economic growth thanks in large part to the country’s re-democratization. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva facilitated this heyday, often referred to as the most popular ruler in Brazilian history. In addition, along with Chile and Argentina, Mexico has embarked on the path of democracy this Century. The success of the opposition forces was marked by the 2000 elections, as a result of which Vicente Fox became the first opposition representative in the country’s history. Mexico’s development was also facilitated by signing the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The 21st Century began with the terrifying terrorist attacks of 9/11 in America. The impressions of this barbaric act of violence long dictated America’s foreign and security policy, including Afghanistan and Iraq’s invasion. The first decade of the century also remarked with the infamous economic crisis of 2008, which added financial hardships to already to hatred and fear of terrorism. However, the presidency of Barack Obama has made things alter citizens’ minds. In addition to being the first African American president, he withdrew troops from Afghanistan and Iraq and provided a national health insurance program.
The Middle East & North Africa In The 21st Century
By the end of the 20th century, radical Islamic movements began rising in the Middle East. This allowed some fundamentalist movements like the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and Islamic State to flourish and gain the support of the Islamist population in Afghanistan and Iraq. Consequently, the world experienced several infamous terrorist acts, including the 9/11 attacks, which led US invasion of Afghanistan. Despite the US military greatly outnumbered the poorly equipped terrorists, the formers could not secure the country and prevent terrorist violence. Thus, after the assassination of Bin Laden, US officials decide to withdraw the military approach of solving the crisis and shifting the emphasis on diplomacy.
Another crisis arose during the so-called Arab Spring in Syria due to the long dictatorship of Bashar Al-Assad, who succeeded his father, Hafiz Al-Assad. Initially, mass protests were mainly calling for democratic changes in the country. However, after security forces opened fire against opposers in April 2011, people began protesting against the Assad regime. Subsequently, later in 2011, several groups started militarizing against pro-Assad military forces. However, these groups still are not unified, and the horrifying civil war is still happening, causing millions of people to leave their places to seek shelter in other countries.
Conclusion
In general, it turned out to briefly describe the main milestones of the 21st Century in different parts of the world. While some countries are gradually building democracies, others are mired in military action, social problems, and a lack of food and medicine. Europe survived the beginning of the millennium relatively stable but faced tangible economic threats to the European Union. The world has also gained more active political and economic players in several Asian countries. The trend towards an international solution to the issue and the conclusion of treaties is evident.
Work Cited
Wince-Smith, Deborah. “Who Will Write the Rules for the 21st-Century Global Economy?” Forbes, Web.