International Relations, 1991–2009

The Post-Cold War World Order (1991-1995)

Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991): The disintegration of the USSR led to the end of the Cold War and the creation of 15 independent states. It marked the rise of the USA as the sole superpower.
First Gulf War (1991): Triggered by Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, a US-led coalition intervened to protect Saudi Arabia and expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
Breakup of Yugoslavia (1991-1995): A series of wars and political crises led to the dissolution of Yugoslavia, sparking ongoing ethnic and territorial conflicts.
Formation of the European Union (1993): After the Maastricht Treaty, the European Economic Community became the EU, signalling greater economic and political integration across Europe.

International conflicts and interventions (1996-2001)

Second Congo War (1998-2003): A brutal conflict involving eight African nations and 25 armed groups, dubbed ‘Africa’s World War’. Fought primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kosovo War (1998-1999): NATO’s controversial intervention in the conflict between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
East Timor’s Independence (2002): After decades-long occupation by Indonesia, East Timor finally achieved independence following a UN-sponsored act of self-determination.

War on Terror (2001-2009)

September 11 Attacks (2001): Al-Qaida’s terrorist attacks on the USA resulted in the launch of the global ‘War on Terror’.
Afghanistan War (2001-2014): The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan with the aim of dismantling al-Qaida and removing the Taliban from power.
Iraq War (2003-2011): The US-led invasion aimed at dismantling purported weapons of mass destruction, led to prolonged conflict and instability.

Key Individuals and Nations

US Presidents (George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush): Their policies played significant roles in shaping the international order during this period.
Russian Presidents (Yeltsin, Putin): Their strategies shaped Russia’s transition from a socialist republic to a federal semi-presidential republic.
Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida: Their terrorist activities resulted in a shift in global politics towards a focus on counterterrorism.

Impact of Economic Factors

Globalisation: The growing interdependence of countries due to increased cross-border trade and cultural exchange.
Financial Crises: The Asian Financial Crisis (1997), Russian Financial Crisis (1998), and Global Financial Crisis (2008) had significant impacts on international relations.
Rise of BRIC: Brazil, Russia, India, and China’s emergent economies started to shift the balance of global economic power.

To grasp a comprehensive understanding of International Relations from 1991–2009, draw connections between the political events, key individuals/nations, and economic factors.