As communism dissolved in the Soviet Union, new challenges arose in the non-Communist nations.
In 1990, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein annexed oil-rich Kuwait, precipitating the Persian Gulf War
between Iraq and a U.S.-led coalition of United Nations forces. Saddam Hussein’s defeat and the
liberation of Kuwait led to only a short truce. In 2003, the Iraqis were again at war with a U.S.-led
coalition over Saddam Hussein’s repressive regime and his potential for unleashing weapons of mass
destruction. A new democratically elected Iraqi government executed Saddam Hussein in December
2006.
In 1998, India and Pakistan, long in conflict with each other over the territory of Kashmir,
announced their development of nuclear weapons. A 2008 terrorist attack in the city of Mumbai, India,
attributed by some to Pakistani terrorist organizations, increased global concern over the unstable
relationship between the two countries. The nuclear capacity of North Korea also remained a
troublesome issue.
In Africa and Asia, new nations often did not have the resources to further their development and
had to look to developed nations or international organizations such as the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund for assistance. Violent ethnic conflicts plagued both regions. Repeated
negotiations failed to bring lasting peace in the Middle East or to settle the problem of Palestinian
refugees. Warfare continued between the United States and Iraq and the al-Qaeda terrorist
organization of Afghanistan.
The end of the twentieth century saw a series of economic problems throughout parts of Asia and
Southeast Asia, especially Japan. By 1999, some recovery was apparent. Hong Kong was returned to
the People’s Republic of China in 1997.
In spite of challenges in Africa and Asia, the future appeared hopeful. India remained the world’s
largest democracy. In the 1990s, South Africa ended apartheid and held elections in which all adult
South Africans had the right to vote. New governments based on increased civil rights were emerging
in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
Rapid Review
The breakup of the Soviet Empire in 1991 resulted in the formation of a loose organization of
former Soviet republics. Ethnic rivalries continued in the former Soviet republics and in Yugoslavia.
Newly founded republics battled with economic problems. In Latin America, repressive governments
gradually gave way to more widespread democracy. South Africa saw the end of apartheid and the
beginnings of universal suffrage. Challenges remained, especially in the Middle East and South Asia,
where Arab-Israeli conflicts continued and U.S.-backed coalitions had been engaged in Afghanistan
and Iraq.
Review Questions
1 . Ethnic strife occurred in the Balkan province of
(A) Czechoslovakia
(B) Kosovo
(C) Hungary
(D) Belarus