The largely theocratic countries of North Africa form the Maghreb Union, a free trade zone from Egypt to Morocco.

Chinese troops deploy into Myanmar. Chinese navy begins exercises off the coast of India.

The United Nations brokers a peace agreement on the Korean Peninsula which requires gradual demilitarisation on both sides, starting with the phased withdrawal of American troops.

The global computer web now channels most human entertainment, communications, processing and trade.

Small deep-ocean mining stations established in the Pacific and South Atlantic, initially as scientific research stations, but later for military purposes.

China becomes the second-largest economy in the world.

Japanese paranoia increases as the economy stagnates and investment withers.