New tensions emerge, 1991-2003

The Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)

Dissolution of USSR: In 1991, the USSR was officially dissolved, marking the end of the Cold War era. The resultant power vacuum in former Soviet territories changed the dynamics of international relations.
Creation of Russia: The Russian Federation emerged as the legal continuation of the USSR but with a much-reduced influence globally.
Boris Yeltsin: First President of the Russian Federation, Yeltsin sought to develop a market economy and a multi-party political system, though his methods were controversial.

Rise of Nationalism: Throughout the 1990s, Yugoslavia disintegrated amid rising nationalism and ethnic tensions.
Wars of Yugoslav Succession: Bloody conflicts occurred in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, drawing international attention and intervention.

Iraq’s Invasion of Kuwait (1990): This conflict began when Saddam Hussein’s Iraq invaded Kuwait and was met with immediate international condemnation.
Operation Desert Storm (1991): In response, a US-led coalition of 35 nations launched a major military operation to free Kuwait, significantly raising the profile of the United States as a global peacekeeper.

Mass Violence: In barely 100 days, ethnic Hutus systematically killed between 500,000 and 800,000 Tutsis, sparking international outrage.
Failure of International Response: Despite the UN presence in the country, a lack of decisive intervention led to widespread criticism of international organisations and Western nations.

Rise of Globalisation: The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw an unprecedented rise in global interconnectedness through trade, technology, travel, and culture.
Threat of Terrorism: The 1998 US Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, and the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center marked an emergence of non-state actors as major threats in international relations.
War on Terror (2001): In response to these attacks, the United States, under President George W. Bush, instigated a global “War on Terror”, beginning with the invasion of Afghanistan.

Allegations of WMDs: The US and UK accused Iraq of possessing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), a breach of the UN’s disarmament requirements.
Controversial Invasion: In 2003, a US-led coalition invaded Iraq with the objective of disarming Iraq of WMDs and removing Saddam Hussein from power. The legitimacy of this invasion remains a subject of international debate.