[Mohoender]

The year is marked by a step in international tensions that will prove determinant for the fate of our world. The crisis between China and Taiwan goes deeper when the USA switch from their relatively neutral posture to a more aggressive one, sending two carrier groups in the area by mid-March. This shows not only a symbolic gesture towards the ROC, but a readiness to fight on the part of the USA. Realising the US.Navy CVBG's incredible threat to the PLA Navy, China becomes painfully aware that it needs more allies and, on April 26, establishes the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) with the CSTO. As a result, the slow technical cooperation that had existed since 1991 quickly changes to extend in dramatic proportions. The amount of exchange increase, more raw materials are sent from USSR to China, a pipeline is projected and both country agree on a currency exchange rate between Yuan and Ruble. In addition, the PRC choses to accelerate its military build up. Soon it orders Sovremennyy-class Missile Destroyer from Russia, a cold war era warship designed to counter the US Navy’s CVBG. Then, in mid-December, during the visit to Moscow by Chinese Premier Li Peng, he subsequently orders modern attack submarines (Kilo Class), modern warplanes (Sukhoi Flankers) and one of the modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier which is to be transfered within two years.

Another important event occurs in Asia when, on September 18, a North Korean Sang-O class submarine runs aground in South Korea. Despite, numerous protestations from Pyongyang and from the international community, the crew are described as spys by South Korea and killed by the South Korean military. This puts an end to recent reconciliations efforts and North Korea applies for membership in the SCO. Then, while Pyongyang is not accepted as a fully participating member, it is granted an observer status.

Since the fall of Berlusconi’s coalition in Italy, political instability remained the norm all over 1995 and this result in the surprising outcome of the April Elections. The Lega Nord gets almost 25% of the vote, gaining no less than 138 deputies and 67 senators as well as a majority of seats in all northern region with the exception of Emilia-Romagna. Almost Immediately, Umberto Bossi, leader of the Lega Nord, reveals that his aim is the secession of Northern Italy under the name Padania. This becomes a reality when the two other politcal coalitions (L’Ulivo and Polo delle Libertà) start to break up after summer. Popular demonstrations and riots plague the northern part of Italy up to November and the secession is effective on November 26. With wide popular support and most of the Italian military siding with it, Padania gains international recognition as The Napoli Republic is created over the southern half of the Peninsula, ruled by a left-wing coalition named “Neo-Ulivo” and led by Romano Prodi. Lazio and Sardigna follow their own path and, led by Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, build strong ties with the Vatican City. As a result, they become known as the “Papal State”. At last, an Italian National Conference is to be held in January 1997.

Meanwhile, Germany’s intervention on behalf of the Sudeten claims had shown its impact during the May elections of the Czech Republic. The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia gains a majority of the seats, Filip Vojtech forms the new government and Václav Havel is forced to resign in July. Then, in September, the Czech Republic withdraws from the adhesion process to the EU and negociations are started with the Soviet Union. It quickly appears that the new rules guarantee further freedom and Filip Vojtech applies to the SCO. The Czech Republic is finally accepted on November 1.

The Iraqi Civil War ends by a split of the country when the Shiite, controlling the regular Iraqi Army and getting increasing support from Iran, asserts their control over Baghdad and over the southern half of the country. Consequently, they have their hands on most of the oil and this allows for a fairly important influx in cash. An Islamist Republic is established over Shiite’s controlled territory and Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr becomes the head of state. Meanwhile, Kurds and Sunni, backed by Iraqi Republican Guards and still receiving US supplies coming in through Israel and Jordania, launch a terrorist campaign as they establish the Free Republic of Iraq with their capital city at Tikrit. In addition, on April 6, when Turkish authorities launch “Operation Hawk”, an offensive against rebels from the Kurdish Worker's Party (PKK) in southeastern Turkey, it is suspected that regular Kurdish units are involved.

Africa also gets its share. Colonel Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara deposes the first democratically elected president of Niger in a military coup. Fighting breaks out in Monrovia, Liberia, between various rebel groups and the faction led by Charles Taylor comes on top. Unrest continues in South Africa and, despite this being met with increasingly brutal force, the neighbours and the world don’t go any further than verbal condamnation. Finally, in November, the vice-governor of South Kivu Province in Zaire orders the Banyamulenge to leave the country on penalty of death and they erupts in rebellion. Anti-Mobutu forces combines to form the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Zaire (AFDL). The AFDL receives the support of the leaders of African Great Lakes states, particularly Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda while many elements of the Zairian Army joins Laurent Désiré Kabila as he marches from eastern Zaïre on Kinshasa.

In the middile of this turmoil, Latin America seems quite stable but as the world’s attention is atracted elsewhere, various insurgencies and drug cartels increase their influence and become more active: Bolivia (Comision Nestor Paz Zamora, CNPZ), Chile (Frente Patriótico Manuel Rodríguez, FPMR), Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC and Ejército de Liberación Nacional, ELN), Guatemala (Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca, URNG), Honduras (Frente Patriótico Morazanista, FPM), Mexico (Zapatista Army of National Liberation, EZLN and Ejército Popular Revolucionario EPR), Nicaragua (Contras) and Peru (Movimiento Revolucionario Túpac Amaru, MRTA).

Despite this, relations with USSR and China continue as western business involvement there still grows. US citizens perceive the world as being increasingly stable while the continuing economic growth that characterizes this mid-1990’s benefits President Clinton. In November, He goes to win re-election with a substantial margin in the popular vote and electoral college.

On the same day, Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto's government is dismissed by President Farooq Leghari after widespread allegations of corruption. She is soon replaced by an increasingly military leadership.