History 2010 - 2015

Iran Successfully Tests Nuclear Warhead Natanz, Iran: Following various attempts at convincing Iran to cease its nuclear program, in 2013 US geological monitors confirmed the testing of an atomic weapon ranging in the 250 kilotons near the Natanz research facility, in Iran. Leaders from across the world have responded, mostly condemning the spread of nuclear weapons, and as such condemning the state of Iran as well. Israel has publicly condemned Iran and has called for immediate action by the members of the UN Security Council.

Follow up: Israeli Defense Forces launched an air assault on known Iranian nuclear targets within hours of confirmation of nuclear weapons but failed to destroy all nuclear targets. Air battles across the Middle East ensured as the IDF and Iranian Air Force engaged each other. Hezbollah guerrillas in south Lebanon also launched rocket attacks on Israel, hitting cities as far south as Haifa.

IDF forces responded with a massive invasion of Lebanon, deploying over 100,000 troops across the country, much to the exasperation of world leaders. Protests across the Middle East against Israel emerged instantly, although all remained peaceful. Palestine's protests, in particular, were completely peaceful.

An international fleet of ships was dispatched to guard the Straits of Hormuz against possible attack from either side, consisting of ships from across the Muslim world, as well as Russia and India. China and the United States did not participate in the initial formation. Sensitive Chinese and American diplomatic cables relating to frantic peace negotiations were released to the public, containing numerous key provisions most Muslim countries disliked. Through the mayhem, Iranian moderates launched a coup against hardliners in the Iranian government, purging Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as well other hardline elements of the Guardian Council. Following their request for a ceasefire, Israeli attack aircraft withdrew from their sorties and began the process of reconciliation. After a joint cease-fire, Israel and Iran agreed to a peace proposal, involving nuclear disarmament by Iran, in exchange for financial aid from various world powers. The settlement was brokered by the Pacific Rim-Oceana Treaty Organization, pioneered by Russia and Indonesia, as well as Iraq, and the Muslim world. Numerous key Arab countries have submitted applications for joining the organization, as power politics between countries continues. The overall aftermath is far from clear, but Lebanon is in ruins. Iranian hardliners are more popular than ever, and Israel's popularity in the Muslim world has hit new lows, as it contemplates how to navigate the world.

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Articles

Sol - Earth - Americas:

Obama Reduces US Military Expenditures Washington, D.C.: Following intense budget negotiations in 2011, and facing budgetary pressures across the board, President Obama called for substantial cuts in the US defense budget. Citing defense spending unheard of since the days of World War II, he pledged to cut spending on the military by nearly 25%. Cuts in standing troops and a reduction in the size of all branches of the military have been felt across the world. US Defense partners across the world are concerned, but monetary savings have been felt. Still, major budgetary battles remain with a crushing debt still left to pay.Sol - Earth - Europe:

Sol - Earth - Asia:

Israel and Palestine reach Temporary Peace Accord Yerushalayim/Al-Quds, Israel/Palestine: Following early setbacks in 2010 and 2011, Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Liberation Organization reached a tentative agreement allowing for the creation of the state of Palestine. The temporary nature of the peace deal is due to the lack of a decision reached regarding the status of Yerushalayim (Al-Quds in Arabic), but both parties remain hopeful that a deal can be reached. US President Obama was crucial in convincing both sides to sign the temporary accord, and agree to solve the city's status soon. Current governance of the city is a rather murky subject, as Palestine does wish to make the city its capital, but violence across Israel and Palestine is at an all-time low, as peace prospects look good.

Secular Violence in Iraq Reaches Low, Country Continues to Rebuild Baghdad, Iraq: Following the continued withdraw of US troops in Iraq, violence peaked, then began a precipitous drop. Parliamentary elections have been flowing relatively peacefully, with minimal violence in disruption of voting. Impasses regarding deciding key laws and Prime Ministers have been kept to a minimum, as the country continues to rebuild from two decades of poverty. Of note is that industries other than oil have been booming as well, with Iraq's middle class starting to slowly return to the country.

Sol - Earth - Oceania:

Increased Piracy in Strait of Malacca; US Navy Cutbacks to Blame Singapore, Singapore: As the US military cuts back on spending across the board, US Navy patrols in support of Malaysian, Singaporean, and Indonesian navies have been cut significantly, leading to a substantial increase in piracy in the straits of Malacca. The straits have been key trading routes since the beginning of waterborne trade, as all shipping trade from Asia to Europe or Africa must pass through the strait. Key oil shipments between the Middle East and Asia and North America run through the straits as well, threatening turmoil in economies far and wide.

Naval units from China and the United Kingdom were deployed to the region, in cooperation with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, to secure the straits from piracy. With the additional forces available, piracy took a nosedive within a year. Governments, companies, and international organizations worldwide are applauding the quick action by China and the United Kingdom to secure perhaps the most vital trade link in the world. New ship designs such as the 'Small Low-cost Intervention and Security Ship' (SLISS) have begun deployment by Britain, in concert with traditional multipurpose ships from China. The crisis has exemplified the increasingly strong Chinese Navy as being essential to world security, in a world of declining US influence.