2000 – Present: The Digital Revolution
Connection, Innovation, and Global Challenges
The 21st century has been defined by unprecedented global connectivity, rapid technological advancement, and collective challenges requiring international cooperation. Digital technology has transformed every aspect of human experience.
Current Developments:
- Social media reshapes communication and society
- Smartphones put computing power in every pocket
- Climate change demands global environmental action
- Artificial intelligence begins transforming industries
- Global pandemics test international cooperation
As we navigate this digital age, humanity faces both extraordinary opportunities and complex challenges that will define our shared future.
There are 145 entries in this timeline
2000
Visit of ROK President Kim Dae-Jung to the DPRK
June 2000
2000
British intervention in Sierra Leone to defeat rebels backed by Charles Taylor of Liberia
May 2000
2000
Failure of the Camp David summit
July 2000
2000
The outbreak of the second intifada
September 2000
The visit of Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount/Haram ash-Sharif triggered widespread violence, reflecting pent-up anger within Palestine at the delays in the peace process.
2000
Formation of Laskar Jihad in Jakarta
January 2000
2000
Al-Qaeda attack on the USS Cole off the coast of Yemen
September 2000
2000
Start of the Al-Aqsa intifada
September 2000
2000
George W. Bush elected president of the United States
November 2000
2000
Treaty of Nice signed
December 2000
2000
Serbia hands over former president Slobodan Miloševic to face trial before the war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
June 2000
2001
Formation of Koizumi government
April 2001
In the 2000s, Japan has attempted to become more of a ‘normal state’ with defence structures and a foreign policy to match its economic structure. This shift has been accompanied by tensions with other Asian countries which suffered under Japanese occupation in the Second World War.
2001
Koizumi visits the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo
August 2001
2001
The PRC joins the WTO
December 2001
In contrast to policies towards the Soviet Union, the US has attempted to integrate China into the international community, seen through membership in the WTO.
2001
Argentina’s economic crisis prompts massive demonstrations
December 2001
2001
Foundation of New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD)
July 2001
NEPAD sought to shake old perceptions of African corruption, in order to bring western trade and investment into the region.
2001
Al-Qaeda attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon
September 2001
The attacks of September 11, 2001 triggered the US war on terror.
2001
Greece adopts the Euro
January 2001
2001
Al-Qaeda attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
September 2001
The attacks of September 11, 2001 triggered the US war on terror.
2001
Opening of US campaign in Afghanistan
October 2001
The first US response to the terrorist attacks of September 11 was the invasion of Afghanistan in order to capture Al-Qaeda forces encamped there. The initial military campain destroys conventional military opposition quickly, but the establishment of democracy in the war-torn region proves difficult and the region soon descends into scattered fighting.
2001
Fall of Kabul to US forces
November 2001
2001
Hamid Karzai chosen to be leader of new Afghanistan government
December 2001
2002
President Bush declares the DPRK to be part of the ‘axis of evil’
January 2002
Inclusion in the ‘axis of evil’ led the DPRK to rapidly seek atomic weaponry as a deterrent against US intervention.
2002
Chavez survives a brief coup attempt
April 2002
2002
International agreement paves the way for the withdrawal of foreign forces from the Congo
July 2002
2002
The African Union replaces the OAU at a summit in Durban
July 2002
2002
‘The Quartet’ proposes a ‘road-map’ for peace between Israel and Palestine
July 2002
2002
Jemaah Islamiya terrorist attack in Bali
October 2002
2002
Euro enters into circulation
January 2002
2002
Establishment of the International Criminal Court
July 2002
The creation of the ICC has allowed broader enforcement of human rights obligations, while also raising criticism that norms can only be enforced against weaker states. Actions have sometimes been labelled a form of neo-imperialism in Africa.
2002
Opening of Guantanamo detention camp
January 2002
The use of the US base at Guantanamo, Cuba as a detention camp for terrorist suspects gradually undermines world support for US actions, as revelations of torture of prisoners emerges.
2002
President Bush accuses Iran, Iraq and the DPRK of constituting an ‘axis of evil’
January 2002
The ‘axis of evil’ statement linking widely diverse states of Iran, Iraq, and the DPRK further brings US credibility into question. Subsequent US invasion of one of the members of the axis of evil spurs the other two to increase their nuclear programmes.
2002
Congress votes to allow the president to use force against Iraq
October 2002
2002
Jemaah Islamiya terrorist attack in Bali
October 2002
In response to terrorist attack in Bali, regional leaders choose different strategies, avoiding connection with the US-led war on terror, while employing effective tactics.
2002
UN resolution 1441 authorizes further weapons inspections in Iraq
November 2002
2003
The DPRK again withdraws from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
January 2003
2003
‘Lula’ becomes president of Brazil
January 2003
Rise of Brazilian economy under Lula da Silva led to the prospect of greater Latin American autonomy from the US in the new century.
2003
Beginning of insurrection in Darfur in Sudan
February 2003
2003
Charles Taylor ousted from power in Liberia
August 2003
2003
Coalition invasion of Iraq
March 2003
2003
Jemaah Islamiya terrorist attack on Marriott hotel in Jakarta
August 2003
2003
Coalition invasion of Iraq
March 2003
2003
Renewed Taliban attacks in Afghanistan
January 2003
2003
The US presents its case on Iraqi possession of WMD to the UNSC
February 2003
2003
The Coalition begins the invasion of Iraq
March 2003
The invasion of Iraq, initiated without clear UN authorization, further erodes international support for US actions. Like the invasion of Afghanistan, initial conventional military operations rapidly succeed, while long-term state rebuilding is hampered by ongoing violence.
2003
US forces seize Baghdad
April 2003
2003
Bush makes his ‘mission accomplished’ speech
May 2003
2003
Libya announces abandonment of nuclear programme
December 2003
2004
Hu Jintao refers to China’s ‘peaceful rise’ in the international order
April 2004
2004
The Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
August 2004
2004
Al-Qaeda-inspired bombings in Madrid
March 2004
2004
Foundation of group that becomes al-Qaeda in Iraq
October 2004
2004
The Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join the EU
May 2004
The 2004 enlargement of the EU vastly increased the population and size of the union, with far braoder challenges. The new states possessed less wealth and democratic experience than previously admitted members, requiring time for integration.
2004
Sunni insurrection in Fallujah in Iraq
April 2004
2004
Revelation of US human rights abuses against Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib
April 2004
2004
Power is returned from the Coalition to an independent Iraqi government
June 2004
2004
Presidential election held in Afghanistan
October 2004
2004
President Bush wins a second term in office
November 2004
2005
Gleneagles G-8 summit leads to debt relief agreement
July 2005
2005
Anti-Japanese riots in the PRC
April 2005
2005
Agreement signed on southern Sudan’s right to hold referendum on independence
January 2005
2005
Gleneagles G-8 summit pledges increased aid and debt relief for Africa
July 2005
2005
Assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri
February 2005
2005
Israeli unilateral withdrawal of forces from Gaza
August 2005
2005
Al-Qaeda-inspired bombings in London
July 2005
2005
UN World Summit agrees to adopt the Right to Protect (R2P) doctrine
September 2005
2005
Iran opens a nuclear enrichment plant in Isfahan
August 2005
2005
Iraqi parliamentary elections held
December 2005
2006
The DPRK declares it has successfully detonated a nuclear device
October 2006
2006
Joseph Kabila wins first democratic election in the Congo
November 2006
2006
Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon hospitalized by a stroke
January 2006
2006
Hamas wins legislative elections in Palestine
January 2006
2006
Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon
July 2006
Hostilities in the Gaza Strip led to Hizb’allah attacks from southern Lebanon in order to open a second front. The resulting Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon revealed limits in Israeli military strategy, as the destruction of Hizb’allah bases and supply lines in heavily populated areas angered neighbouring Arab states.
2006
AQI becomes the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI)
2006
2006
UNSC begins debate on sanctions against Iran
February 2006
2007
Manuel Ortega, former Sandinista leader, becomes president of Nicaragua
January 2007
2007
Abbas–Olmert meeting in Annapolis under the auspices of the Quartet
November 2007
2007
Foundation of Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb
2007
2007
Romania and Bulgaria join the EU; Slovenia joins the Eurozone
January 2007
2007
Lisbon Treaty signed
December 2007
2007
Beginning of American ‘surge’ policy in Iraq
January 2007
The US ‘surge’ was part of a strategy to restore order in Iraq as the country spiralled into civil war. Unlike the massive influx of troops into Vietnam, following the surge, violence gradually subsided in Iraq.
2007
Indonesian arrest of Abu Dujana
June 2007
2007
Iranian–IAEA agreement signed
August 2007
US efforts to contain Iranian nuclear ambitions continue to receive assistance in the UN Security Council from France and Britain, while Russian and Chinese opposition have prevented further pressure being placed on Iran. The 2007 agreement set a timetable to resolving issues relating to nuclear weapons.
2008
First G-20 summit convened in Washington DC
November 2008
2008
Fidel Castro hands over power in Cuba to his brother Raul
February 2008
2008
Colombian security forces enter Ecuador in search for FARC sanctuaries
March 2008
2008
ICC issues arrest warrant for the sitting Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir
July 2008
2008
Cyprus and Malta join the Eurozone
January 2008
2008
Arrest of the former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic for war crimes
July 2008
2008
ICC issues arrest warrant for the sitting Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir
July 2008
2008
Collapse of Lehman Brothers bank
September 2008
2008
Election of Barack Obama as US president
November 2008
Election of Barack Obama in 2008 heralded a shift in US policy away from unilateralism to multilateral co-ordination of foreign policy with other actors.
2009
First BRIC summit at Yekaterinburg in Russia
June 2009
2009
Copenhagen Accord on Climate Change signed
December 2009
2009
Slovakia joins the Eurozone
January 2009
2009
Obama announces a phased withdrawal of US forces from Iraq
February 2009
2009
Obama awarded the Nobel peace prize
December 2009
2010
Start of Tunisian anti-government protests
December 2010
The ‘Arab Spring’ started with spontaneous demonstrations in Tunis, soon growing into a regional movement bringing down the government of Egypt and Libya, with revolution rocking Syria.
2010
Agreement on rescue packages for Greece and Ireland
June 2010
The Eurozone crisis exposed the challenges of rapid integration, with an economic downturn, banking crisis and burgeoning national debt undermining the economies of Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus.
2011
China overtakes Japan to become the world’s second largest economy
February 2011
2011
Death of Kim Jong-Il who is succeeded by his son Kim Jong-Un
December 2011
2011
South Sudan votes for independence in referendum
January 2011
2011
Fall of President Mubarak of Egypt
February 2011
2011
Start of protests in Benghazi against Gaddafi regime
February 2011
2011
Start of anti-Asad protests in Syria
March 2011
2011
US termination with extreme prejudice of Osama Bin Laden
May 2011
2011
Ayman Zawaheri takes over as leader of al-Qaeda
May 2011
2011
Establishment of Free Syrian Army
July 2011
2011
Estonia joins the Eurozone
January 2011
2011
R2P invoked at the UNSC to support the idea of a ‘no-fly’ zone over Libya
March 2011
Humanitarian obligations were employed in gaining a Security Council Resolution creating a ‘no-fly’ zone, but were rapidly exploited to justify NATO military intervention in domestic affairs.
2011
UNSC approves NATO ‘no-fly’ zone over Libya
March 2011
2011
Death of Osama Bin Laden
May 2011
2011
Obama announces a phased withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan
June 2011
The US withdrawal from both Iraq and Afghanistan have been central parts of Obama’s shifting focus away from large-scale military operations to more targetted strikes against terrorist groups.
2011
Death of Colonel Gaddafi
October 2011
2011
Last US troops leave Iraq
December 2011
2012
Sino-Japanese dispute erupts over the Senkaku-Daioyu Islands
September 2012
2012
Formation of second Abe Cabinet in Japan
December 2012
2012
The PRC and the Philippines clash over control of Scarborough Shoal
April 2012
The rise of China has been accompanied by increasing clashes between nationalist China and its neighbors. Chinese interest has focussed on a number of rocks, shoals and islands in East Asian waters, partly over the value of off-shore oil.
2012
The PRC and Japan clash over control of the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands
September 2012
2012
Al-Qaeda calls for overthrowing of Asad regime
February 2012
2012
The Muslim Brotherhood wins the presidential elections in Egypt
June 2012
2012
European Stability Mechanism established
September 2012
2012
Former Liberian president, Charles Taylor, found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to 50 years imprisonment
April 2012
2012
Obama wins a second term as US president
November 2012
2013
Prime Minister Abe visits the Yasukuni Shrine
December 2013
2013
The DPRK announces that it no longer recognizes the 1953 armistice
March 2013
2013
Hugo Chavez dies
March 2013
2013
Death of Nelson Mandela
December 2013
2013
ISI becomes ISIS
April 2013
2013
Egyptian army deposes President Morsi
July 2013
2013
Croatia joins the EU
January 2013
2013
Two-week shutdown of American government
October 2013
2013
Interim agreement on Iranian nuclear programme in Geneva
November 2013
2014
ISIS leader al-Baghdadi proclaims the re-establishment of the Caliphate and himself as Caliph Ibrahim. ISIS becomes IS
June 2014
2014
Latvia joins the Eurozone
January 2014
2014
Pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych is removed as President of Ukraine
2014 February
2014
Russian invasion of Crimea
2014 March
2014
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant declares Caliphate
2014 June
2016
Brexit referendum in Britain passes, opening negotiations for withdrawal from European Union
2016 June
2016
Donald Trump is elected US President
2016 November
2018
Chinese constitutional change removes term limits, allowing Xi Jinping a path to remain in office
2018 March
2018
US-North Korean summit between Trump and Kim Jong-Un
2018 June
2019
First human cases of Covid-19 reported
2019 December
2023
Covid-19 pandemic sweeps world
2023 February-March
2021
Return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan
2021 August
2022
Russian invasion of Ukraine
2022 February