TEXT: 1990  
  END OF THE COLD WAR 
   
   
  On February 7, 1990, the Central Committee of the Communist 
  Party of the Soviet Union agreed to give up its monopoly of power. 
  Over the next several weeks, the 15 constituent republics of the 
  USSR held their first competitive elections. Reformers and ethnic 
  nationalists won many of the seats. 
   
   
  Soviet Central Asia, 1989 
   
  Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovsky, along with Vladimir Bogachev, 
  took initiatives which led to the founding of the Liberal Democratic 
  Party, the second registered party in the Soviet Union and therefore 
  the first officially sanctioned opposition party. This party was a joint 
  project of Soviet Army leadership and the KGB.  
   
  The constituent republics began to assert their national sovereignty 
  over Moscow and started a "war of laws" with the central 
  government, wherein the governments of the constituent republics 
  repudiated union-wide legislation where it conflicted with local 
  laws, asserting control over their local economies and refusing to 
  pay tax revenue to the central Moscow government. This strife 
  caused economic dislocation as supply lines in the economy were 
  severed, and caused the Soviet economy to decline further. 
   
  The pro-independence movement in the Lithuanian SSR, Sąjūdis, 
  established on June 3, 1988, caused a visit by Gorbachev in January 
  1990 to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, which provoked a pro-
  independence rally of around 250,000 people. 
   
  On March 11, 1990, the Lithuanian SSR, led by Chairman of the 
  Supreme Council Vytautas Landsbergis, declared restoration of 
  independence. However, the Soviet Army attempted to suppress the 
  movement. The Soviet Union initiated an economic blockade of 
  Lithuania and kept troops there "to secure the rights of ethnic 
  Russians." 
   
  On March 30, 1990, the Estonian Supreme Council declared Soviet 
  power in Estonian SSR since 1940 to have been illegal, and started a 
  process to reestablish Estonia as an independent state. The process of 
  restoration of independence of the Latvian SSR began on May 4, 
  1990, with a Latvian Supreme Council vote stipulating a transitional 
  period to complete independence. 
   
  Iraq stuns the west by invading Kuwait in August. With the Soviet 
  Union in disarray, the world rallies behind US leadership in resisting 
  Iraqi aggression, and troops from a dozen countries, a few of them 
  still formally members of the Warsaw Pact, pour into Saudi Arabia. 
   
  The long awaited (and long-feared, in some circles) reunification of 
  Germany becomes reality in October. The four power conferences 
  (representing the United States, the United Kingdom, the USSR, and 
  France) that recognize the inevitable, also guarantee Poland's 
  territorial integrity. As a part of the agreement, NATO troops will 
  maintain a presence in the newly unified republic (the only way 
  some European nations will agree to the deed). The newly united 
  Germany renounces any territorial claims outside of its post-WWII 
  boundaries, but asserts continued interest in the welfare of ethnic 
  Germans living outside of Germany. Membership in German ethnic 
  organizations in western Poland grows, particularly in Silesia, where 
  the floundering efforts of the new (non-Communist) Polish 
  government to convert from a controlled to a free economy result is 
  only a partial success. 
   
  The League of Communists of Yugoslavia dissolves on republican 
  and ethnic lines at its 14th Congress with Slovene and Croatian 
  delegations leaving amid claims that Milošević is usurping power. 
  The first democratic elections are held in socialist Yugoslavia. 
  Nationalist parties win the majority in almost all republics.  Student 
  protests in Belgrade against Milošević end with police crackdown: 
  one student is killed.   Croatian Serbs start a rebellion against the 
  newly elected Croatian government led by Franjo Tuđman, severing 
  land ties between Dalmatia and remainder of Croatia.  Albanian 
  miners go on strike in Kosovo, which Milošević ends with a police 
  and army crackdown.  
   
  Constitutional changes in Serbia revoke some of the powers granted 
  to Kosovo and Vojvodina, effectively giving Serbia 3 out of 8 votes 
  in the federal council. Along with allied Montenegro, this gives 
  extreme power to the Serbian elite. With these votes, Serbian 
  representatives attempt to institute martial law to stop democratic 
  changes - their attempt fails as Bosnia's representative (an ethnic 
  Serb) votes against in the crucial last vote.  
   
  Poland attempts to negotiate a border treaty with Byelorussia, but is 
  rebuffed and the official Byelorussian statement describes the city of 
  Bialystok as "occupied" by Poland. Later in the year, Romania 
  refuses a summit offer by Hungary to discuss the condition of ethnic 
  Hungarians living in Romania. By the end of the year, Soviet troop 
  withdrawals are under way from Germany, Poland, Hungary, and 
  Czechoslovakia. 
   
   
  
   
  1991 
  COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION 
   
   
  Commonwealth of Independent States, 1992 
   
   
  On January 13, 1991, Soviet troops, along with KGB Spetsnaz 
  Alpha Group, stormed the Vilnius TV Tower in Vilnius, Lithuania to 
  suppress the nationalist media. This ended with 14 unarmed civilians 
  dead and hundreds more injured. Later that month in Georgian SSR, 
  anti-Soviet protesters at Tbilisi demonstrated support for Lithuanian 
  independence. 
   
  On March 17, 1991, in a Union-wide referendum 76.4% of all voters 
  voted for the retention of the Soviet Union in a reformed form. The 
  Baltic States, Armenia, Georgia and the Kazakh Republic boycotted 
  the referendum. In each of the other nine republics, a majority of the 
  voters supported the retention of the renewed Soviet Union. 
  Following the results, Armenia indicated it wanted to rejoin in Union 
  discussion. 
   
  On June 12, 1991, Zhirinovsky wins 57% of the popular vote in the 
  democratic elections for the post of president of the Russian SFSR, 
  defeating Gorbachev's preferred candidate, Nikolai Ryzhkov, who 
  won 16% of the vote. In his election campaign, Zhirinovsky 
  criticized the "dictatorship of the centre", but did not suggest the 
  introduction of a market economy. Instead, he said that he would put 
  his head on the rail track in the event of increased prices. 
  Zhirinovsky took office on July 10. 
   
  On July 1 the old Warsaw Pact is formally abolished, the last straw 
  for many Moscow hardliners. On the night of July 31, 1991, Russian 
  OMON from Riga, the Soviet military headquarters in the Baltics, 
  assaulted the Lithuanian border post in Medininkai and killed seven 
  Lithuanian servicemen. This further weakened the Soviet Union's 
  position, internationally and domestically. 
  
  Mass demonstration in Moscow against the 1991 coup attempt Faced 
  with growing republic separatism, Gorbachev attempted to 
  restructure the Soviet Union into a less centralized state. On August 
  20, 1991, the Russian SFSR was scheduled to sign the New Union 
  Treaty, which was to convert the Soviet Union into a federation of 
  independent republics with a common president, foreign policy and 
  military. The new treaty was strongly opposed by the Central Asian 
  republics, whose close connections with the People’s Republic of 
  China (“PRC”) and United States (“US”) provided them with 
  markets separate from those of the other Soviet republics. In Central 
  Asia the call was for more radical reform including a rapid transition 
  to a market economy leading to the disintegration of the Soviet 
  Union into several independent nation-states.  
   
  Disintegration of the USSR accords with the desires of Zhirinovsky's 
  LDP party only to the extent of abolishing the primacy of the CPSU.  
  Regardless of the structure of the new state, Zhirinovsky’s Moscow 
  would remain in control rather than regional and local authorities. 
  Zhirinovsky received strong support from the conservatives and 
  remaining 'patriots' and Russian nationalists of the USSR, still strong 
  within the CPSU and military establishment, were completely 
  opposed to anything which might contribute to the weakening of 
  Russian dominated state and its centralized power base. 
   
  On August 19, 1991, Gorbachev's vice president Gennadi Yanayev, 
  prime minister Valentin Pavlov, defense minister Dmitriy Yazov, 
  KGB chief Vladimir Kryuchkov, and other senior officials acted to 
  prevent the signing of the union treaty by forming the "General 
  Committee on the State Emergency." The "Committee" put 
  Gorbachev (vacationing in Foros, Crimea) under house arrest, 
  reintroduced political censorship, and attempted to stop the 
  perestroika. The coup leaders quickly issued an emergency decree 
  suspending political activity and banning most newspapers. 
   
  While coup organizers expected some popular support for their 
  actions, the public sympathy in large cities and in republics was 
  largely against them. Russian President Zhirinovsky turned on his 
  former allies in the Communist power structure and was quick to 
  condemn the coup and grab massive popular support for himself. 
  Thousands of people in Moscow came out to defend the "White 
  House" (the Russian Federation's parliament and Zhirinovsky's 
  office), then the symbolic seat of Russian sovereignty. The 
  organizers tried but ultimately failed to arrest Zhirinovsky , who 
  rallied mass opposition to the coup. The special forces dispatched by 
  the coup leaders took up positions near the White House, but would 
  not storm the barricaded building. 
   
  After three days, on August 21, the coup collapsed, the organizers 
  were detained, and Gorbachev returned as president of the Soviet 
  Union. 
  However, 
  Gorbachev's 
  powers 
  were 
  now 
  fatally 
  compromised, as neither the Union nor Russian power structures 
  heeded his commands 
   
  Through the autumn of 1991, the Russian government took over the 
  Soviet Unions’ government functions, ministry by ministry. In 
  November 1991, Zhirinovsky issued a decree banning the CPSU 
  throughout the Russian republic. As a result, many former 
  apparatchiks abandoned the Communist Party in favor of positions 
  in the ministries and Zhirinovsky’s  
   
  After the coup, the Soviet republics accelerated their process 
  towards independence, declaring their sovereignty one by one. Their 
  local authorities started to seize property located on their territory. 
  On September 6, 1991, the Soviet government recognized the 
  independence of the three Baltic states, which the western powers 
  had always held to be sovereign. Yet, in the battle of power, on 
  October 18 Gorbachev and the representatives of 8 republics 
  (excluding Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and the Baltic 
  States) signed an agreement on forming a new economic 
  community. 
   
  Meanwhile, the Soviet economic situation continued to deteriorate. 
  By December 1991, food shortages in central Russia had prompted 
  food rationing in the Moscow area for the first time since World War 
  II. Amid steady collapse, Soviet President Gorbachev and his 
  government continued to oppose rapid market reforms like 
  Yavlinsky's "500 Days" program. To break Gorbachev's opposition, 
  Zhirinovsky decided to disband the USSR in accordance with the 
  Treaty of the Union of 1922 and thereby remove Gorbachev and the 
  Soviet government from power. The step was also enthusiastically 
  supported by the governments of Ukraine and Belarus, which were 
  parties of the Treaty of 1922 along with Russia. 
   
  The final round of the Soviet Union collapse took place following 
  the Ukrainian popular referendum on December 1, 1991, wherein 
  90% of voters opted for independence. The leaders of Slavic 
  republics agreed to meet for a discussion of possible forms of 
  relationship, alternative to Gorbachev's struggle for a union. 
   
  On December 8, 1991, the leaders of the Russian, Ukrainian, and 
  Belarusian republics met in Belavezhskaya Pushcha and signed the 
  Belavezha Accords declaring the Soviet Union dissolved and 
  replacing it with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). 
  Gorbachev described this as an unconstitutional coup, but it soon 
  became clear that the development could not be halted. 
   
  On December 12, 1991, Russia's secession from the Union was 
  sealed, with the Congress of Soviets of RSFSR formally ratifying 
  the Belavezha Accords and denouncing the 1922 Treaty on the 
  creation of the Soviet Union. 
   
  On December 17, 1991, alongside 28 European countries, the 
  European Community, and four non-European countries, twelve of 
  the fifteen soviet republics signed the European Energy Charter in 
  the Hague as sovereign states. 
   
  Doubts remained over the authority of the Belavezha Accords to 
  affect the dissolution of the Soviet Union, since they were signed by 
  only five of the Soviet Republics. However, on December 21, 1991, 
  representatives of all member republics except Georgia signed the 
  Alma Ata Protocol, in which they confirmed the dissolution of the 
  Union. That same day, all former-Soviet republics agreed to join the 
  CIS, with the exception of the three Baltic States. The documents 
  signed at Alma Ata also addressed several issues raised by the 
  Union's extinction. Notably, Russia was authorized to assume the 
  role of the USSR in the United Nations, which meant inheriting its 
  permanent membership on the Security Council. On December 24, 
  1991, the Soviet Ambassador to the UN delivered to the Secretary 
  General a letter by Russia's president, Zhirinovsky, informing him 
  that, in virtue of that agreement, Russia was the successor state to 
  the USSR for the purposes of UN membership. After being 
  
  circulated among the other UN member states with no objection 
  raised, the statement was declared accepted on December 31. 
   
  On December 25, 1991, Gorbachev resigned as president of the 
  USSR, declaring the office extinct and ceding all the powers still 
  vested in it to the president of Russia, Zhirinovsky. On the night of 
  that same day, the Soviet flag was lowered for the last time over the 
  Kremlin. Finally, a day later on December 26, 1991, the Council of 
  Republics (a chamber) of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR 
  recognized the dissolution of the Soviet Union and dissolved itself 
  (another chamber of the Supreme Soviet had been unable to work 
  during some months before this, due to absence of a quorum). By 
  December 31, 1991, all official Soviet institutions had ceased 
  operations as individual republics assumed the central government's 
  role. 
   
   
  Slovenia and Croatia declare independence in June, Macedonia in 
  September. War in Slovenia lasts ten days. The Yugoslav army 
  leaves Slovenia, but supports rebel Serb forces in Croatia. The 
  Croatian War of Independence begins in Croatia.  
   
  Cities of Vukovar, Dubrovnik and Osijek are devastated by 
  bombardments and shelling. Flood of refugees from the war zones 
  and ethnic cleansing overwhelm entire Croatia. Countries of Europe 
  are slow in accepting refugees.  
   
  Macedonia declares independence in September. In  January, the 
  Gulf Coalition began a stunning aerial offensive against Iraq and 
  followed it up with a blitzkrieg ground war in February which 
  liberated Kuwait and crushed the power of the Iraqi Army. Although 
  Saddam remained in power, his authority was reduced to the central 
  third of his nation and his military was no longer capable of 
  aggression against neighboring states. 
   
  In March, both Croatia and Slovenia secede from Yugoslavia, and 
  Bosnia-Hercegovenia follows in short order. Violence soon broke 
  out between the Serbian-dominated federal government and militias 
  of the breakaway states. 
   
  Ethnic and religious violence in the Central Asian republics 
  escalates, and the Russia ends its troop withdrawal schedule in order 
  to provide security within Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan . Fighting is 
  particularly heavy between the Kazakh separatists and Russian 
  security forces  in the Otar area.  
   
   
  
  1992 
  YUGOSLAVIAN CIVIL WAR 
   
   
  In order to restructure the Soviet administrative command system 
  and implement transition to a market-based economy, Zhirinovsky 's 
  shock program was employed within days of the dissolution of the 
  Soviet Union. The subsidies to money-losing farms and industries 
  were cut, price controls abolished, and the ruble moved toward 
  convertibility. New opportunities for the LDP’s inner circle and 
  other entrepreneurs to seize the former state property were created 
  thus restructuring old state-owned economy within a few months. 
  After obtaining power, the vast majority of "idealistic" reformers 
  gained huge possessions of state property using their positions in the 
  government and became business oligarchs in a manner that 
  appeared antithetical to an emerging democracy. Existing 
  institutions were conspicuously abandoned prior to the establishment 
  of new legal structures of the market economy such as those 
  governing private property, overseeing financial markets, and 
  enforcing taxation. 
   
  Market 
  economists 
  believed 
  that 
  the 
  dismantling 
  of 
  the 
  administrative command system in Russia would raise GDP and 
  living standards by allocating resources more efficiently. They also 
  thought the collapse would create new production possibilities by 
  eliminating central planning, substituting a decentralized market 
  system, eliminating huge macroeconomic and structural distortions 
  through 
  liberalization, 
  and 
  providing 
  incentives 
  through 
  privatization. 
   
  Since the USSR's collapse, Russia faced many problems that free 
  market proponents in 1992 did not expect. Among other things, 25% 
  of the population lived below the poverty line, life expectancy had 
  fallen, birthrates were low, and the GDP was halved. These 
  problems led to a series of crises in the 1990s, which nearly led to 
  election 
  of 
  Zhirinovsky's 
  Communist 
  challenger, 
  Gennady 
  Zyuganov. 
   
  Spring elections in the Soviet republics of Byelorussia, the Ukraine, 
  and the RSFSSR sweep local LDP candidates into office Before, 
  during, and after these elections, ethnic unrest continues to intensify 
  in Kazakhstan, and spreads to the minority republics of Tajikistan, 
  Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, in the form of terror attacks on Russian 
  facilities within Central Asia. The armed violence spreads 
  throughout the Moslem parts of the Caucasus and Central Asia, 
  although most of it fails to come to the attention of the rest of the 
  world, who are distracted by events in Germany. 
   
  Vance peace plan signed, creating 4 UNPA zones for Serbs and 
  ending large scale fighting in Croatia. Serb areas in Croatia declare 
  independence, but are recognized only by FR Yugoslavia.  
   
  Bosnia declares independence. Bosnian war begins. Federal 
  Republic of Yugoslavia proclaimed, consisting of Serbia and 
  Montenegro, the only two remaining republics.  
   
  United Nations impose sanctions against FR Yugoslavia and accepts 
  Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia as members. FR Yugoslavia claims 
  being sole legal heir to SFRY, which is disputed by other republics. 
  UN envoys agree that Yugoslavia had 'dissolved into constituent 
  republics'.  
   
   
  Former Yugoslavia at the end of the Civil War 
   
  By mid-year, Slovakian separatists have gained enough seats in the 
  Czech parliamentary elections to force the division of the country 
  into two sovereign states: Slovakia and the Czech Republic. 
   
  The exposure of long-time links between the Mafia and key figures 
  in the Italian government causes a scandal which shakes the very 
  foundations of post-war Italian politics as well as crippling its 
  economy. As the Lira loses value against every other western 
  currency, there is open talk in industrialized and wealthy northern 
  Italy of secession from Southern Italy. 
   
  After early successes in holding down the Central Asian unrest, the 
  Russians suffer several major setbacks. TASS accuses China of 
  supplying arms to terrorists in Kazakhstan through Kyrgyzstan. 
  Bloody fighting continues, with Islamic fundamentalist insurgents 
  growing in strength. Late in the year, some Western observers begin 
  to use the term "civil war" in referring to the Central Asian unrest.  
   
  The Ukrainian province of Moldavia, made up largely of ethnic 
  Romanians, is torn by riots and strikes demanding political 
  autonomy and an eventual union with Romania. Riots are suppressed 
  by Ukrainian troops and Kiev accuses Romania of having secretly 
  encouraged the unrest. In the fall, the Romanian government 
  announces the arrest of five Ukrainian operatives who, they claim, 
  have been encouraging unrest among Romania's Hungarian 
  minority. 
   
  In the United States, widespread perceptions of a lack of effective 
  Republican leadership on the drug and trade front, and foot dragging 
  on military demobilization, lead to the election of Bill Clinton (a 
  Democrat from Arkansas).  
   
   
  
   
  1993 
  A NEW EUROPE 
   
  In his inaugural address, President Clinton sets the twin national 
  priorities of rebuilding America's deteriorating infrastructure and 
  "breaking the double grip of crank and crime that have made the 
  nation's largest cities all but uninhabitable." Reductions in the 
  defense budget made possible by the reduced American military 
  presence in Europe are to fund a national reconstruction program 
  and support large increases in law enforcement and anti-drug 
  education. None of these measures have any real effect. (By year's 
  end, the DEA will announce a 250% increase in drugs seizures, both 
  from smuggling and domestic crank factories. This will represent 
  only 4% of the total estimated illegal drug consumption for the 
  year.) 
   
   
  Central Europe, 1993 
   
  Clinton is not much more successful on the international scene, but 
  by year's end he negotiates a withdrawal of Turkish troops from 
  Cyprus and a reunification of the island republic. 
  After several years of intensive investment in the eastern third of the 
  country, Germany shows little signs of economic progress. Radical 
  right wing political organizations swell in membership while 
  skinhead violence against foreign workers and handicapped 
  Germans escalates. Germany's government responds to the threat 
  weakly, seeming to compromise with the right, and passes a strict 
  series of immigration laws which are widely compared to the Nazi 
  "race laws" of the 1930s. 
   
  Fighting in Central Asia escalates for most of the year with Russian 
  troops moving directly from former bases in Eastern Europe to 
  strategic locations in Central Asia.  Zhirinovsky insists that 
  Kazakhstan, 
  Tajikistan 
  and 
  Kyrgyzstan 
  remain 
  “Russian 
  Protectorates” due to the large number of strategic and nuclear sites 
  within the republics.  The Russian military gradually begins to gain 
  the upper hand, and regains control of most of the cities of the 
  region. A guerrilla war continues in the countryside, and many 
  veterans of the fighting in Afghanistan a decade before find 
  themselves fighting a very similar campaign.  
   
  Sporadic anti-government rioting in Pyongyang and other large 
  cities force the North Korean government to make further 
  concessions toward a free market economy.  
   
  The Bosnian-Croat conflict begins in Bosnia. Fighting begins in the 
  Bihać region between Bosnian Government and Bosnians loyal to 
  Fikret Abdić, supported by Serbs. F.R. Yugoslavia, due to sanctions 
  and isolation, is hit with, by that time, never seen hyperinflation of 
  3,6 million percent a year of Yugoslav dinar. This amount of 
  inflation exceeds that experienced in the Great Depression of 1929. 
  The Stari Most (The Old Bridge) in Mostar, built in 1566, was 
  destroyed by Bosnian Croat forces.  
   
   
   
  
   
  1994 
  ESCALATION IN CENTRAL ASIA 
   
   
  As Europe shows signs of increasing instability, Germany reverses 
  the policy of demobilizing former troops of the National People's 
  Army (Nationale Volksarmee--NVA). In January of 1994, the nine 
  under strength divisions which had been maintained as a token army, 
  are brought up to full strength and each is given a territorial (reserve) 
  brigade.   
   
  In Central Asia, Kazakh separatists capture the Shekaftar nuclear 
  waste facility and threaten to use the facility to devise a “dirty” 
  nuclear device.  Russian air assault units manage to retake the 
  facility but only after separatists launch several rockets with nuclear 
  waste at Russian troops.  Zhirinovsky condemns the separatists as 
  the first “nuclear terrorists” and vows to go to any length to destroy 
  them.  The next day the Russian strategic air forces launch a massive 
  and indiscriminate bombing campaign focused on supposed 
  separatist strongholds in the Alay Mountains.   
   
  The U.S. objects to the Russian bombing campaign but is rebuffed 
  by Zhirinovsky’s claims that the bombing is an internal affair and, in 
  any case, is no more indiscriminate than US B-52 raids on Iraq in 
  1991 or South East Asia in the 1970’s.  Western Europe generally 
  disapproves of Russia’s actions in Central Asia but is more focused 
  on the Balkan Wars and the potential explosive situation unfolding 
  in Moldavia.  China remains surprisingly quiet on the issue but 
  moves over ½ of its interceptor force to airfields in Kashi, Shache 
  and Wensu.  In addition, China upgrades the air defense networks of 
  Xinjiang and increases border patrols of the Tien Shan and Alay 
  mountain ranges. 
   
   
   
  
   
  Disputed area of Sino-Russian Border 
   
  Russian air attacks have the unintended consequence of stiffening 
  separatist resistance in Central Asia and by May the area is in full 
  revolt with the cities of Osh, Sary-Tash and Naryn declaring their 
  independence from Kirghizstan, followed shortly by Karakul’s 
  cessation from Tajikistan.  Zhirinovsky deploys 2 air assault 
  divisions to recapture the area.  The brutality displayed on both sides 
  of the conflict increase as Russian troops take drastic measure to root 
  out potential rebels.  Entire villages are “pacified” with families of 
  suspected rebels forcibly relocated to Siberia. 
   
  Refugees pour over the border into the PRC to avoid Russian air 
  attacks.  A state of emergency is declared in the Xinjiang 
  Autonomous Region to deal with the influx of refugees.  In August 
  Jiang Zemin, President of the PRC, issues a statement that China 
  understands the conflict in Central Asia to be an internal Russian 
  affair, but that any intrusion into Chinese territory or airspace will 
  not be tolerated.  Jiang follows up the statement with a request for 
  humanitarian aid from the United States.  By October shipments of 
  humanitarian aid begin arriving and a number of refugee camps are 
  established outside the city of Wuqia.  
   
  A peace treaty between Bosnians and Croats arbitrated by the United 
  States, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina formed.  F.R. 
  Yugoslavia 
  stabilizes 
  economy 
  structure 
  with 
  Economic 
  Implementation Framework.  
   
  By the end of 1994 Russian tactical air forces begin striking 
  suspected rebel strongholds south of the Ak-Say River.  Chinese 
  missiles destroy over a dozen Russian aircraft that are claimed to 
  have entered Chinese airspace.  In response Russia commits two 
  Motorized Rifle Divisions to rooting out the rebels on the ground.  
  Without air support the Russian forces suffer massive casualties and 
  are forced back across the river.  Russian border guards close the 
  Torugart pass to all traffic and deploy additional forces to the 
  northern slopes of the Tien Shan Mountains.  
   
   
  
   
   
   
  1995 
  THE TIPPING POINT 
   
   
  Baltic Europe, 1995 
   
  “New Years Day" riots occur in Gdansk after group of (ethnically 
  German) Polish youths kill a Turkish shop owner. Throughout 
  former East Prussia demonstrations protesting the "Gdansk 
  Massacre" begin. After 3 days of rioting the Polish military takes 
  hash measures to enforce martial law in Gdansk.  A group of Polish 
  border guards are accused of killing an ethnically German family 
  during the riots. German objections to Polish membership in the EU 
  results in the rejection of Poland's EU membership. Polish Prime 
  Minister Waldemar Pawlak resigns from Parliament and is replaced 
  by Jozef Oleksy of the Polish National Front. 
   
  A Group calling itself "Iron September" claim responsibility for a 
  number of bombings throughout northern Poland.  Polish internal 
  security forces disrupt an Iron September cell in Silesia, all 18 
  suspected members of the cell are killed in the operation. 
   
  The Polish minister of defense is assassinated, Iron September 
  claims responsibility and issues a statement saying that, until Danzig 
  is free, it will continue attacks on Polish government targets. Several 
  bombings occur in Prague and are claimed as acts of liberation by 
  Iron September.  Czech police forces form close ties with Polish 
  Security to uncover terrorist operations.  British, German, and 
  American governments place their forces on alert, and security along 
  the German/Polish frontier is tightened. 
   
  Due to the rejection of Poland's EU application, the other Visegrad 
  member states withdraw their applications for EU membership.  
  Visegrad calls for the condemnation of Iron September and German 
  assistance in disrupting the terrorist organization.  Iron September 
  steps up attacks on government facilities in Northern Poland.  Prime 
  Minister Oleksy suspends many civil rights and calls on Germany to 
  extradite many "ring leaders" identified by Polish security.  
  Germany refuses extradition requests. Small group of Polish senior 
  officers in former German East Prussia open secret talks with a 
  select group of counterparts in the German Bundishweir. 
   
  Poles discover that the majority of Iron September funding is 
  coming from various groups in Germany through Swiss banks.  
  Poland demands that Germany crack down on this source of funding.  
  Germany states that such a crackdown would be impossible. After 
  numerous attacks on Polish government centers, Poland declares 
  martial law in north eastern Poland and Silesia.  German speaking 
  Poles are required to identify themselves to the security forces.  Over 
  100 officers (with German surnames) are forced to resign. Massive 
  political protests in Poland by Poles forced to identify themselves as 
  "persons of interest" are squelched by Polish military intervention. 
  Iron September demands that "Danzig" (Gdansk) be declared a free 
  city and that Polish forces withdraw from areas on Northern Poland.  
  Polish security forces become more and more indiscriminate in 
  rounding up suspected terrorists.  Refugees begin trickling into 
  Germany requesting asylum. 
  
   
  Iranian forces cross the Iraqi border in force claiming to support the 
  call for an Islamic state in Iraq.  Iraqi positions are quickly overrun 
  by elements of the Revolutionary Guard. Due to Iraqi isolation and 
  limited military capacity the Iranians quickly advance to the 
  outskirts of Baghdad.  Shiite insurgents begin attacks throughout 
  Iraq in support of the Iranian invasion. The unity of the UN Security 
  Council begins to fray, as France and Russia, become increasingly 
  interested in making deals with Iraq to rearm the country. The U.S. 
  condemns Iran's invasion of Iraq but does not support military 
  intervention.  UN res 581 requiring Iran to withdraw from Iraq fails 
  to pass when China uses its veto power. Siege of Baghdad continues, 
  Egypt and Syria plead with the U.S. to lift the arms embargo on Iraq.  
  Syrian military put on alert. First shipments of Russian arms arrive 
  in Iraq along with 5,000 Russian military advisors.  U.N. lifts "no-
  fly" zone over Iraq and the "Baghdad Airlift" commences. Siege of 
  Baghdad is lifted due to massive air strikes buy the Iraqi air-force.  
  Iranian forces begin pulling back to the pre war border.  The first 
  shipments of Chinese arms reach Iran resulting in a renewal of 
  offensive operations against Iraq.  Syria begins sending military 
  units to support the Iraqi forces. Additional UK & US forces (7th 
  SFG & Rangers) deploy troops to Saudi Arabia 
   
   
   
   
  Close up of disputed area of Central Asia and Western China 
   
  Fighting breaks out between elements of the Russian Border Guards 
  and the Chinese 52nd Border Defense Force along the Ak-Say River 
  near Baykurt.  Fighting dies down between Russia and China, but 
  both begin to mobilize and shift troops. Russia condemns China in 
  the UN and withdraws from the security council when it fails to 
  support Russian condemnation of Chinese actions. 
   
  The Srebrenica massacre is reported with 8,000 Bosnians killed. 
  Croatia launches Operation Flash and Operation Storm, reclaiming 
  all UNPA zones except Eastern Slavonia, and resulting in exodus of 
  250,000 Serbs from the zones. NATO launches a series of air strikes 
  on Bosnian Serb artillery and other military targets.  Dayton 
  Agreement signed in Paris. War in Bosnia and Herzegovina ends. 
  Aftermath of war is over 100,000 killed and missing and 2,5 million 
  people internally displaced among the former republics. After 
  signing the Dayton Agreement, Yugoslavia is granted looser 
  sanctions, still affecting much of its economy (trade, tourism, 
  industrial production and exports of final products), but allowing for 
  its citizens to exit Yugoslavia, for a limited time. 
   
  In response to continued Chinese support of the Central Asian 
  Separatists, attacks on Russian aircraft outside Chinese airspace and 
  sporadic attacks on Russian border guards, the Russian Federation 
  declares that as state of war exists between the Russian Federation 
  and the PRC as of Sunday, August 20th. The Sino-Russian War 
  begins with Russian conventional air strikes on Chinese forward 
  airfields. The Russians overrun the Torugart pass and take Baykurt, 
  but suffer from shortages in men and equipment, particularly tactical 
  aircraft. In response the PLA launches a major counteroffensive 
  which recaptures Baykurt, and sweeps aside Russian forces holding 
  the Torugart pass. Zhirinovsky orders a general mobilization of all 
  Russian military forces and receives overwhelming public support in 
  his “Crusade to stem the Tartar invasion” as he puts it in numerous 
  speeches. 
   
   
  
   
   
  1996 
  BEGINNING OF THE END 
   
  1996 Far Eastern Theater 
   
  Russian Maritime Exclusion Zone 
   
  The sale of Patriot missile systems to China is approved by the US 
  Senate. Russia announces a general blockade of all Chinese ports 
  and institutes a Maritime Exclusion Zone encompassing the South 
  China Sea.  Vessels attempting to run the blockade will be subject to 
  naval action.  The Russian nuclear attack submarine Titov sinks a 
  Panamanian Flagged container ship in the Chinese MEZ.  Additional 
  sinking's continue thought the month. The US condemns Russia 
  from employing the "terrorist tactic" of unlimited submarine warfare 
  and demands the lifting on the MEZ from the Western Pacific.  
  Russia responds with a demand that the US stops supplying weapon 
  systems to the Chinese.  Russian submarine commanders in the 
  Pacific Banner Fleet begin shadowing western merchant shipping on 
  a wide scale while avoiding US ASW operations.  Numerous "close 
  calls" occur between US destroyers and Russian submarines. US 
  Convoy 107 is attacked by a Russian sub in the Sea of Japan, sinking 
  8 merchantmen without loss to the Russian submarine fleet.  2 
  torpedoes are fired at the destroyer USS Kidd, however they fail to 
  detonate on impact. 
   
  N. Korea surprisingly announces its support or Russia in the Sino-
  Russian war.  N. Korea begins air strikes against Chinese 
  communication centers. 
   
  The Chinese offensive winds down for winter cantonment.  Russia 
  transfers over half of frontal aviation to the far eastern theater from 
  the Western Military District in support of the planned spring 
  offensive.  On April 1st the Russian spring offensive begins off  to a 
  good start when 12 Category I Tank Divisions supported by frontal 
  aviation smash through Chinese defenses.  20 Category I Motorized 
  Rifle Divisions flow through the breach in the Dzungarian Gate and 
  advance quickly on Yumen.  
   
  PLA forces manage to stop the Russian advance in the Bogda Shan 
  Depression using large numbers of TOW II missiles provided by the 
  U.S.  Most of the PLA's advanced armor has been held in reserve 
  and is finally unleashed on the overextended Russians. The Russian 
  offensive is in serious trouble as the Chinese armored thrust creates 
  pockets of Russian troops.  Russia begins conventional air strikes 
  against Chinese port facilities and then communication centers to 
  break up the Chinese advance. The Russian Federation begins to 
  mobilize its category II divisions for service in the Far East.  The Far 
  Eastern Military District is divided into 2 new districts.   
   
  In response to the new military demands, the UAZ plant is converted 
  to 100% tank production as is the URAL plan in Novograd.  Russian 
  air strikes on Chinese communication centers continue unabated 
  particularly hard hit are Yumen, Xining and Yinchuan. Russian air-
  power begins to gain the upper hand as more and more combat 
  aircraft are brought out of reserve.  With renewed stocks of DU 
  munitions and reactive armor, Russian tanks begin to rescue Russian 
  units surrounded by the PLA in April.  
   
  Russian forces in the Far East dig in for the winter as the focus of the 
  Russian effort shifts to the Middle East.  Many experienced units are 
  power is bled from the Far East and sent to support operations in 
  Iran. Russia begins mobilization of category III troops to support the 
  war on China, to be ready to move by mid-October.  The Ukraine 
  and Russia sign a mutual defense pact.  While the pact does not 
  apply to the Sino-Russian war, it forms a mutual defense treaty.  
  Serbia and Russia sign a similar agreement.  
   
  The Russian 50th Guards Motorized Rifle Division spearheads a 
  winter invasion of Chinese held portions of Mongolia striking at 
  Arvayheer.  The offensive involves limited numbers of highly 
  trained and motivated arctic units.  The PLA units in the theater are 
  poorly equipped for winter fighting and are quickly outmaneuvered. 
  The 50th GMRD is bolstered by the largest airborne drop of the war 
  with an airborne assault on Daladzadgad, the HQ of the Mongolian 
  Military District.  The drop consists of the 104th Guards Air Assault 
  division and 3 independent Air Assault brigades.  An air mobile 
  brigade is also assigned to provide support for the attack.  Elements 
  of the 50th Guards Motorized Rifle Division link up with the 203rd 
  Air Assault brigade north of Saihan Toroi.  The link up signifies 
  encirclement of the 38th Chinese Group Army. 
   
  The PLA's 6th Armored Division attempts to break through the 
  Russian airborne forces to the south of Daladzgad.  After intense 
  fighting a breach is created allowing the remaining units of the 38th 
  Group Army to Escape to Beijing.  Of the 80,000 troops in the 38th 
  Group Army less than 10,000 will reach Beijing. 
   
  
   
  European Alignments, 1996 
   
  1996 European Theater-  
  Iron September attempts to take control of the city hall in Krolewiec 
  and after a 6 day standoff Polish security forces storm the building 
  and a number of bystanders are killed.  Throughout the country 
  shops and homes of ethnic Germans are looted and burned in 
  response to Iron September’s actions. As a response to the looting 
  and rioting, martial law is imposed nationally.  The group Iron 
  September seizes control of the government centers and 
  communication facilities in Gdansk and declares it a free city.  To 
  the world's surprise the command staff of the "Bartoszycka" 
  Mechanized Brigade refuses an order to oust the rebels and instead 
  sides with the free city. Elements of the “Warsaw” Mechanized 
  Division engage the Gdansk garrison with little success.  Poland 
  begins the mobilization of reserve units throughout the country and 
  calls for an immediate halt on all German support of rebel forces. 
  Polish units continue the Siege of Gdansk and begin planning an 
  amphibious assault of the city.  300 suspected members of Iron 
  September are rounded up and hanged for treason. The siege of 
  Gdansk continues and Iron September actively pleads for Germany 
  and Austrian assistance in lifting the siege.  Additional Polish 
  artillery is brought in to bombard the city after an amphibious assault 
  was repelled by the “Danzig Guards Brigade”. 
   
  The German Bundeswehr crosses the Polish frontier and quickly 
  overruns Polish border guards claiming that they are acting to 
  protect German nationals within Poland.  On Monday, October 7th 
  Poland declares war on Germany, Germany does not call on NATO 
  for assistance and does not invoke the mutual defense treaty 
  provisions.  The Polish 15th Mechanized Brigade refuses to engage 
  German units and declares the independence of Krolewiec from the 
  Polish government. In response to the Polish declaration of war, the 
  Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia call for the immediate 
  withdrawal of all German forces from Poland. After being ordered 
  into action against German Forces the Polish 9th Armored Cavalry 
  Brigade defects and announces its support for a free Danzig.  
   
  German forces reach Gdansk and attempt to break through its 
  encirclement.  After 4 days of fighting the Germans are unable to 
  reach the city.  A surprise air assault by the 6th Pomeranian severely 
  damages German logistics and the Polish air force is found to be 
  surprisingly capable of interdiction sorties. The Czech Republic, 
  Hungary and Slovakia issue an ultimatum to Germany, withdraw all 
  combatants from Poland before December 1st, 1996 of face a 
  declaration of war. The German Luftwaffe launches preemptive air 
  strikes against military targets in the Czech Republic. The German 
  air attacks are unexpected and manage to destroy a large portion of 
  the Czech air force on the ground. The Czech Republic, Hungary 
  and Slovakia issue a declaration of War against Germany.  Czech, 
  Slovak and Hungarian Tank Divisions engage German units within 
  Poland as the 2nd Panzer Division is hit hard by 3 Czech Tank 
  Divisions.  Hungarian and Slovak Tank divisions are also engaged in 
  combat before the end of the month. After 2 weeks of heavy fighting 
  German units are driven back to the Polish border by a combination 
  of Polish, Czech, Slovak and Hungarian forces. 
   
  Iron September attacks are stepped up on government facilities in 
  the Czech Republic under the moniker of the Bohemian Liberation 
  Army (“BLA”).  The Czech Republic calls on Austria to close its 
  borders to members of the BLA, Austria nominally agrees but 
  continues its de facto support of the BLA. Czech internal security 
  forces are supplemented by military units and repeatedly cross the 
  Austrian border in pursuit of BLA fighters.  Austrian air defense 
  forces engage Czech aircraft conducting counter insurgency 
  missions against the BLA in the Alps.  Visegrad calls for a 
  
  demilitarized zone between Austria and the Czech Republic.  Austria 
  suggests a demilitarization of the Czech border instead. After rising 
  tensions between Austria and the Czech Republic, the Czech 
  ambassador is expelled and Austria restates its intention to defend its 
  borders at all costs.  The Czech Republic responds by issuing a 
  demand that all members of the BLA be turned over to Czech 
  authorities immediately. 
   
  Polish forces cross the German border to secure the east bank of the 
  river Oder. The Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania, Estonia and Belorussia 
  announce support for the Polish government.  Poland moves its 
  Capital from Warsaw to Lodz. US units in Germany and the British 
  Army of the Rhine are put on high alert as skeleton units are brought 
  up to combat strength.  Dutch and Danish units move into defensive 
  positions on the Polish border.  Italy is conspicuously absent from 
  the NATO mobilization. Germany calls on NATO to assist in 
  repelling the invading armies of the Czech republic and Poland.  
  Italy immediately renounces its membership in NATO.   With the 
  withdrawal of Italy, Greece and Belgium NATO collapses.   
   
  On Tuesday, November 3rd US forces engage Polish and Czech 
  armor on the banks of the Oder while British and Dutch units refrain 
  from direct attacks on Polish units. The 2nd Armored Division, 1st 
  Cavalry Division, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division 
  (Mechanized) transported to Europe by air, coming under the 
  command of the I Netherlands Corps.   
   
  On Monday, December 9th the British 3rd Armored Division 
  engages Polish units, along with the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards 
  and the Canadian 4th Mechanized Brigade.  Polish forces reach the 
  outskirts of Berlin, and the British 1st Corps becomes involved in 
  bitter street fighting.  US air strikes move from military units in 
  Germany to communication hubs and arms caches in Poland and the 
  Czech Republic.  The Russians object to the US attacks outside 
  Germany.  The USAF quickly establishes air superiority over the 
  Poles; the oil fields and refineries near Uscie Solne are 
  conventionally bombed and the Polish Air Force fades from the 
  skies. 
   
  A new constitution is adopted by the Ukraine forming a semi-
  presidential republic. President Kuchma vocalizes support for the 
  Russians in their war against what he terms "the mongaloid hordes".  
  Talks are held between Russian and Ukrainian officials about 
  possible Ukrainian military assistance. Russia and the Ukraine join 
  other eastern European countries in calling for a German withdrawal 
  from Poland. 
   
  All British military personnel are activated and the territorial guard 
  is placed on alert. 1st Commando Group, Royal Netherlands Marines 
  sent to Norway under SACEUR.  The Royal Marines are deployed 
  on "exercises" in Denmark and Norway. King Herald of Norway 
  proclaims a state of emergency and calls upon the parliament to pass 
  a string of emergency measures to keep Norway out of the war. 
   
  Russian subs sortie to North Atlantic, Russian merchant fleet 
  recalled to home ports, selected units go to wartime hide positions.  
    
  1996 Balkan Theater- 
  Radical Albanians from the Kosovo Liberation Army and begin 
  carrying out armed actions in the southern Serbian province of 
  Kosovo.  The bulk of the Serbian Army is deployed to Kosovo to 
  eradicate the KLA.  The attack results in massive civilian casualties.  
  Albania calls on NATO and Visegrad to assist in stopping the 
  atrocity in Kosovo.  NATO resolves to refrain from sending aid, 
  however Italy sends rejects the resolution and deploys an Infantry 
  division to assist the refugees.  Additional Italian ground forces are 
  deployed to the Albania/Serbian border and Italian air units begin 
  striking at units within Serbia.  Serbia refrains from a declaration of 
  war due to Italy's membership in NATO.  Secret talks begin between 
  Serbia and Russia to provide troops in exchange for modern Russian 
  weaponry.  Serbia calls on NATO to force Italy to refrain from 
  attacks on Serbian Territory.  For two weeks NATO members 
  attempt to convince Italy to withdraw from the conflict.  Italy insists 
  that it is operating within the charter and that NATO should assist in 
  repelling the Serbs. 
   
  Romania invades Hungary and uses the Justification that it is 
  responding to Germany's call for Aid.  Italian forces invade Serbia 
  and in response Serbia declares war on Italy.  Croatia and Bosnia 
  also declare war on Serbia and join in the general attack on Serbia 
  and Hungary.  In support of the Romanians, the Turkish 1st Army 
  launches offensive against a thin Bulgarian covering force in Thrace.  
  Greek forces do not participate in the action and Greece informs 
  Turkey that all Turkish units must vacate Greek territory by January 
  1st. 
   
  1996 Middle Eastern Theater- 
  In "Operation Lion" Iraqi forces (equipped with modern French 
  weapons) push Iranian forces back to the pre-war border.  Although 
  rocket and artillery bombardment continues, Iraqi forces do not cross 
  the Iranian frontier. In the "Paris Talks" French negotiators attempt 
  to resolve the Iraq issue with the U.S. and Russia.  The U.S. declines 
  to participate in the talks when it is learned that Iraqi officials will be 
  present.  The U.K. represents the "coalition forces" at the talks, but 
  nothing is resolved.  
   
  Additional USAF units deploy to Saudi Arabia to enforce the no-fly 
  zone again beginning in April.  The U.S. requests that all Russian 
  observers be withdrawn from Iraq immediately,  Russia responds 
  that it is within its rights to support Iraq and demands that the U.S. 
  cease all arms shipments to China. U.S. aircraft engage Iraqi aircraft 
  over the Iran/Iraq border.  Recent imports of Russian and French air 
  defense systems and U.S. over confidence lead to over 25% losses 
  on the U.S. side.  Iraq responds with surprise air strikes on USAF 
  bases in Saudi Arabia catching much of the 151st TFW on the 
  ground. In support of US air-power, Israel launches a number of air 
  strikes against Iraqi AD facilities.  While the strikes do little to assist 
  the USAF, Syria begins bombardment of Israeli settlements in the 
  Golan heights and interdiction of Israeli air operations.  The Saudi 
  family requests that U.S. and U.K. forces withdraw from Saudi 
  territory. 
  The Russian and French embassies in Tehran are attacked by 
  students, several diplomats are killed along with several legionaries.  
  France and Russia both break off diplomatic relations with Iran in 
  response to the attacks.  The National Emergency Council in Iran, in 
  fear of several rebel factions and a possible Russian invasion, moves 
  the capital from Tehran to Esfahan.   The "Sao Palo" convention 
  takes place which bring together U.S., Russian, French, Chinese and 
  British diplomats to discuss the Iran/Iraq and Sino-Russian wars.  
  After 2 weeks the U.S. delegation departs claiming that no 
  compromise can be reached.  The U.S. renews its demand that Iraq 
  be disarmed. The U.S. issues an ultimatum to Iraq to cease all 
  
  combat operations and increases the interdiction of Iraqi combat 
  aircraft.  Iraq claims that it would cease operations if its security 
  would be guaranteed by the US and that the US would take action to 
  prevent Iran's continued aggression.  US 1st Marine division is 
  deployed to Bandar Abbas in Iran to provide support for operations 
  against Iraq.  Marines are under strict orders to avoid contact with 
  Russian forces in the north. 
   
  Iran manages to receive a number of TOW II missiles originally 
  supplied to China for use against Russian forces.  The U.S. and U.K. 
  begin to covertly supply Iran with spare parts for its extensive 
  collection of Shaw era western weaponry.  Iran launches a renewed 
  air offensive against the weakened Iraqis using western aircraft 
  brought back into operation.  The renewed attack catches the Iraqis 
  off guard and Iran begins a slow advance across the Iraqi frontier.   
  Supplies of munitions and parts flow freely from the U.S. into 
  Iranian ports and the 2nd Marine Division is transferred to 
  CENTCOM to form the core of the US XIV Corps.  Iranian pilots 
  begin advanced training on modern US aircraft in the UAE and 
  Pakistan.   
   
  A new commander is appointed to the Russian Transcaucus Military 
  District and a number of Category I units are transferred from 
  Western Russia to the Caucuses. An Iranian attempt to recapture 
  Tehran ends in failure when Spetsnaz units infiltrate Iranian military 
  units. Iran declares war on Russia and calls on the U.S. for military 
  aid.  The Russians claim that they are only providing technical 
  support to local insurgents. 
   
  The undersea warfare elements of the Russian North Banner Fleet 
  deploy for the Persian Gulf. Russian Submarines become active in 
  the Indian ocean shadowing cargo vessels and US surface 
  combatants. US Convoy 102 is attacked by a Russian sub in the 
  Persian Gulf, sinking 3 ships and crippling another; the nuclear 
  guided missile cruiser USS Virginia sinks the sub.(USS Virginia 
  completes 9 more convoys, damaged twice.) Russian forces move 
  into northern Iran and strike at Terahan.   
   
   
  
  1997  
  GLOBAL NUCLEAR WAR 
   
   
  European Alignments, as of 1997 
   
  1997 General 
  On November 27th (Thanksgiving Day) President Clinton and Vice 
  President Gore are killed by an accident during takeoff of the 
  NEACP aircraft. On November 28th, Speaker of the House Newt 
  Gingrich is located on holiday in Georgia, moved to the nearest 
  Presidential Emergency Facility and sworn in as the new President 
  and immodestly declares a state of war and martial law. 
   
  1997 Far Eastern Theater- 
   
  India declares support for Russia in its ongoing campaign against 
  China and begins moving units to the Tibetan border region.  
  Pakistan voices its support for China in its war with Russia and also 
  begins supplying Chinese arms to Iranian rebels. Sporadic fighting 
  between Russian and Chinese forces over the Mongolian border 
  continues as both sides dig in for the winter.  The Russians transfer 4 
  Motorized Rifle divisions from the Far Eastern TVD to the Western 
  TVD.  China begins moving forces from the Mongolian Border 
  Region in secret to the Xinxiang region in hopes of launching a 
  spring offensive into Central Asia.  
   
  Before the spring thaw the PLA launches a massive invasion of 
  Central Asia and crosses into Kazakhstan meeting little resistance.  
  The PLA provides a thin force to hold the Mongolian line while the 
  bulk of the PLA drives on Novosibirsk.  Chinese forces reach the 
  Russian border after 11 days of travel through Kazakhstan meeting 
  only token resistance.  Kazakhstan declares war on China but has 
  little in the way of armed forces remaining to stand up to China. 
  Unable to match the Chinese with conventional forces, Kazakhstan 
  begins strikes on PLA armored columns with tactical nuclear 
  weapons.  China is caught completely off guard by the response and 
  assumes a nuclear attack by the Russians. 
   
  China begins deploying tactical nuclear weapons to the Mongolian 
  and Central Asian Fronts.  PLA units continue to advance towards 
  Novosibirsk.  Russia begins to redeploy forces from the Mongolian 
  front to Central Asia. Russian forces withdraw from the front with 
  the Chinese Army quickly following them.  In an unprecedented use 
  of nuclear force, Russian bombers destroy the Chinese 38th Army 
  Group with over 100 tactical nuclear weapons.   
   
  With the Russian declaration of war against the US, UK, Norway, 
  Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany on April 8th, The British 
  6th Mechanized Division is transferred by air to Shenyang to the join 
  the Chinese 31st Army.  Once assembled the Chinese 31st army 
  attacks North Korea while the US 8th Army launches an offensive 
  towards the Yalu River.  The 2nd Para Division of the 31st Chinese 
  army launches a daring assault to capture Cho’s an but is quickly 
  surrounded by PRK forces.  Following an amphibious assault at 
  Sinuiju, the US 2nd Infantry Division relieves the surrounded 
  airhead of the 2nd Chinese Parachute Division. The PRK army 
  launches an offensive against the ROK assaulting US positions with 
  tactical nuclear weapons.  The 4th Marine Division suffers heavy 
  causalities from tactical nuclear strikes and retreated from the front 
  lines in Korea and the 25th Infantry Division (Light) suffers 6 
  
  attacks by tactical nukes and receives heavy causalities.  The 3rd 
  Marine Division manages a successful sealift back to Japan but the 
  25th Infantry Division is overrun and disintegrates as it retires to 
  Seoul. 
   
  1997 European Theater-  
  On Wednesday, January 1st Parliament in the U.K. forms a "War 
  Government" by merging elements of the Conservative and Labor 
  parties.  U.S. Congress appropriates over $200 Billion in additional 
  defense funds to cover the "European Crisis".  At the same time the 
  Dutch I Leger Korps moves into Germany to engage Eastern Bloc 
  forces surrounding Berlin.  In an attempt to dislodge Polish forces 
  from Berlin, the U.S. 4th Marine Division is deployed for an 
  amphibious assault against northeastern Poland. The assault is 
  successful and the siege of Berlin is lifted as the last Polish 
  Mechanized units are recalled to defend Poland itself.  
   
  After disengaging from Polish forces surrounding Berlin, British 
  forces reach Frankfurt-an-Oder on the Polish border.  They enter the 
  city, but are unable to seize the bridges over the Oder before they are 
  demolished by Polish engineers.  Elements of the 1st US Cavalry 
  and British 8th Armored Divisions cross into Poland in the wake of a 
  massive bombing campaign; as a result Polish forces begin a general 
  withdrawal to the Vistula river.  Czech units are also withdrawn in 
  an orderly fashion while Hungarian and Bulgarian forces are hastily 
  pulled back to engage the Turks and Romanians. Eastern Bloc forces 
  disengage from NATO units throughout the central front in an 
  attempt to consolidate their remaining forces.  Poland and the Czech 
  Republic begin mobilizing their home guard units and begin air 
  operations from unprepared airstrips and highways. 
   
  Austrian and German units reach Prague in the south while US, 
  British and Dutch forces close in on Warsaw in the North.  Both 
  Poland and the Czech Republic call on the Ukraine and Belorussia 
  for aid. German and Austrian officials begin talks on the formation 
  of a single post-war German state consisting of Germany, Austria 
  and portions of Poland and the Czech Republic.  The talks come as a 
  shock to the British and Dutch.  France lodges an official protest. 
  Polish and Czech forces dig in for a final stand against NATO.  Both 
  countries begin mobilizing "Rifle Divisions" which are poorly 
  armed, foot mobile units and barely more than partisans in Cold War 
  era uniforms. 
   
  After the accidental attack on Russian border guards, Russia 
  demands and apology from the US and a complete withdrawal of 
  NATO forces from Poland and the Czech Republic.  The US 
  expresses regret over the incident but refuses to withdraw. Less than 
  a week later US Rangers engage in a firefight with Russian border 
  guards, mistaken as Poles, after accidently crossing the Bug river.  
  The entire Russian patrol is killed in the engagement without losses 
  to the Americans. Russian Border Guards undertake a raid on the US 
  listing post on the West bank of the Bug River.  The Russians claim 
  the attack was accidental but indicative of the types of accidents that 
  may continue to occur. All US diplomats are expelled from Russia 
  as Russia breaks off diplomatic relations with the US.  The Russians 
  retain a consular office in London to keep communications with 
  NATO open. The Russian Republic presents an ultimatum that 
  unless all NATO Forces are withdrawn west of the Vistula by April 
  15th a state of war will exist between Russia and the remaining 
  members of NATO. 
   
  The NATO advance halts in order to consolidate forces and resupply 
  logistics networks.  NATO expects Poland to sue for peace and does 
  not desire a fight for Warsaw or Lodz.  NATO launches Operation 
  Advent Crown and the German 3rd Army crosses the frontier into 
  Poland near Gorlitz and advances up the Oder River while the 
  German 2nd Army drives up the Baltic coast.  The final stage of the 
  operation is a drive by the German 1st Army, with British 1st Corps, 
  through central Poland. In response to Operation "Advent Crown" 
  Russia issues a declaration of war against the US, UK, Norway, 
  Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany. Following the declaration 
  of War Russian frontal aviation initiates a massive bombing 
  campaign against NATO units in Poland.  Particularly hard hit is the 
  German 2nd Army as the Russians achieve local air superiority. 
  Russian Spetznaz, paratroops and Naval Infantry converge on 
  Hamburg. 
   
  Warsaw is surrounded by NATO forces, including British 1st Corps; 
  the city begins to prepare for siege. NATO advance elements close 
  on the Russian-Polish border, continuing the siege of Warsaw. On 
  Wednesday, July 9th the 1st German Army enters Russian territory.  
  In response, the Russian Army begins to use tactical nukes, their first 
  targets being Bialystok, Poland and Harbin, China; NATO follows 
  suit. Russians counteroffensive begins with the Battle of Brest where 
  the 1st German Army is hit by the 3rd Guards and 8th Guards TDs. 
  Russian 1st Tank Division redeployed from China to Poland. 
   
  US and British units begin a rapid flanking movement through 
  northern Finland, but are severely hampered by Finnish troops. The 
  Norwegian 13th Independent Mountain Brigade is heavily damaged 
  in the failed NATO offensive.  1st Royal Marine Brigade and 4th 
  Marine Amphibious Brigade withdrawn from Norway into 
  Germany. Emboldened by the failure of the NATO push in the north, 
  the Russians attempt to move through Finland but find the country 
  as inhospitable to their troops as they were to NATO.  The front 
  stabilizes. Some British units are withdrawn from Norway for 
  reassignment to Iran.  Norwegian front stabilizes, and the Canadian 
  1st Infantry Brigade is withdrawn to Canada.   
   
  The 6th Infantry Division moved from Norway to Poland and comes 
  under command of I Corps. German troops begin to withdraw from 
  Silesia.  The first of Eastern Bloc troops from the Chinese front enter 
  Europe.  British forces halt the Italian drive through Germany. Siege 
  of Warsaw is lifted by the Eastern Bloc.  NATO tactical missiles 
  strike Byelorussia and the Ukraine, hitting Kiev, Lvov and Odessa, 
  severely weakening the Russians’ attempts to build up the western 
  front.  NATO forces withdraw from Poland, enacting a scorched 
  earth policy.  6 tactical nuclear airbursts strikes are made over 
  Warsaw to slow the Eastern Bloc forces and cripple the road and 
  communication networks, Trident II missiles fired from a British 
  sub.  2 other missiles hit military targets to the South East. Czech 
  and Italian forces drive into Bavaria.  NATO forces retreat from 
  Warsaw; suffer heavy causalities from tactical nuclear strikes. An 
  American cruise missile with a 150 kt warhead hits Czestochowa, 
  Poland, turning it into smoking rubble. The 4th Marine Amphibious 
  Brigade is moved south to the Baltic Sea and disbanded, reverting to 
  2nd Marine Division control along with the 6th Marine Regiment. 
   
  NATO begins a massive mine laying campaign in the Greenland-
  Iceland-UK gap.  Unbenounced to NATO, the majority of Russian 
  submarines have already been deployed outside the GIUK gap.  The 
  supertanker “Universe Carolina”, en route to Boston, is sunk by a 
  
  Russian Alpha class attack submarine, it Last known Russian 
  submarine in the Atlantic is sunk; US Subron 9 is switched to 
  advanced scouting for the 2nd Fleet.  USS New Jersey, in gun battle 
  off of Grenada, sinks Russian battle cruiser that had operated in 
  south Atlantic.  Threat of commerce raiders reduced significantly. 
   
  1997 Balkan Theater- 
  The Turkish 1st Army advances rapidly through Bulgaria and links 
  up with Romanian units by the end of January.  Italian Forces reach 
  Novi Pazar in Serbia after securing the province of Kosovo.  After 
  desperate fighting the Serbian forces manage to beat back the 
  Croatian and Bosnian armies.  Partisan activity in Italian held Serbia 
  increases dramatically.  
   
  After a series of Greek riots on Cyprus claim a number of Turkish 
  lives, the Turkish 2nd amphibious brigade lands on Cyprus.  
  Additional forces are brought in by air and by the end of the month 
  Turkish forces occupy most of the island.  Bulgaria and Hungary 
  initiate diplomatic talks with Turkey to end the conflict in the 
  Balkans.  Turkey is receptive to their offers as the Greeks become 
  more and more insistent on a Turkish withdrawal from Thrace and 
  Cyprus. Greek mechanized and Mountain units attack Turkish forces 
  occupying Thrace.  Neither nation withdraws from NATO but both 
  call on NATO to assist in the defense of its borders.  When NATO 
  refuses to come to the aid of the Greeks, Greece pulls out of the 
  organization all together.  Continued partisan activity in occupied 
  Serbia slowly wears down Italian forces and by the end of February 
  the guerilla war is heating up.  Serbian partisans also conduct 
  punitive raids into Croatia and Bosnia. 
   
  Greece begins a naval blockade of Turkey in the declaring it a 
  Military Exclusion Zone and stating that all ships entering Turkish 
  ports will be subject to attack.  Greek naval units depart to attack 
  Istanbul.  Numerous US and British ships are sunk within the 
  Mediterranean MEZ.  Although the Greeks institute the MEZ, 
  Russian submariners use the cover of the Greeks to inflict losses on 
  NATO merchant shipping acting in a sea-lift capacity to supply 
  forces in the Persian Gulf.  NATO convoy of fast transports and 
  cargo ships, accompanied by a strong covering force, attempts to run 
  the Greek blockade to the Turkish port of Izmir. Light fleet elements 
  of the Greek navy savage the convoy in the night and escape 
  relatively unharmed. NATO carriers launch air strikes against Greek 
  naval bases. 
   
  Russians halt the Turkish drive through Bulgaria while  Italian 
  airmobile and alpine units cross passes into Tyrolia.  Italian 
  mechanized forces enter southern Germany, the advanced elements 
  combating German forces in Munich. Czech and Italian forces begin 
  a renewed offensive in southern Germany. 
   
  In an attempt to capture the Russian 42nd Guards Tank Division 
  spearheads the Ploesti campaign in Romania, destroying the 
  Romanian forces routed by nukes.  Russian and Bulgarian forces 
  begin a major offensive against the Turks, using tactical nukes to 
  break the stalemate.  Greek and Albanian forces invade Serbia, and 
  the Serbian Army begins to break up. 
   
   
   
  1997 Strategic Nuclear Strikes- 
   
  Wednesday, July 09, 1997 
  • Yining, PRC  
   
   
  • Urumqui, PRC 
  • Shihezi, PRC 
  • Yumen, PRC 
  • Harbin, PRC 
  • Bialystok, Poland  
   
  Thursday, September 18, 1997  
  • Kiev, Ukraine  
  • Donetsk, Ukraine 
  • Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine 
  • Odessa, Ukraine 
  •  Lvov,  Belarus 
  • Minsk,  Belarus 
   
  Monday, September 22nd, 1997  
  • Amsterdam, Holland 
  • Vienna,  Austria 
  • Minsk, Belarus 
  • Brussels, Belgium 
  • Antwerp, Belgium 
  • Warsaw, Poland  
  • Wrocław, Poland 
  • Poznań, Poland 
  • Gdańsk, Poland 
  • Szczecin, Poland 
  • Bydgoszcz, Poland 
  • Berlin, Germany 
  • Hamburg, Germany  
  • München, Germany 
  • Köln, Germany 
  • Frankfurt, Germany 
  • Stuttgart, Germany 
   
  Sunday, October 12, 1997  
  • Nuremberg, Germany 
  • Bremen, Germany 
  • Saarbrücken, Germany 
  • Athens, Greece 
  • Thessaloniki, Greece 
  • Budapest, Hungary 
  • Milan,  Italy 
  • Naples, Italy 
  • Turin, Italy 
  • Riga, Latvia 
  • Rotterdam, Holland 
  • The Hague, Holland 
  • Katowice, Poland 
  • Sofia,  Bulgaria 
  • Prague, Czech Republic 
  • Copenhagen, Denmark 
  • Helsinki, Finland 
  • Czestochowa, Poland 
   
  Thursday, November 27th, 1997 
  (Thanksgiving Day)  
  • Jacksonville, USA 
  • Tampa, USA 
  •  Pensacola, USA 
  • Cape Kennedy, USA 
  • Miami, USA 
  • Washington D.C., USA 
  • NORAD HQ, USA 
  • Offut AFB, USA 
  • Fort Meade , USA 
  • Corpus Christy, USA 
  • London, UK 
  • Dover, UK 
  • Southampton, UK 
  •  Aldershot, UK 
  • Grangemouth, UK 
  • Milford Haven, UK  
  • Gibraltar, UK 
  • Oslo, Norway 
  • Haakonsvern, Norway 
  • Ramsund, Norway 
  • Olavsvern, Norway 
  • Horten, Norway 
   
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Twilight 2000/3rd party/pmulcahy.com Archives/Twilight 2000 - Timeline.pdf