In the news
Every day, history is being made. Events affecting
people’s lives and altering the politics of nations
around the world are reported in the newspapers,
or on the television and the Internet.
HISTORY AND POLITICS
In 1991, the
Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics
(USSR) was broken
up and some areas became
independent countries.
Since then, other areas have
wanted independence,
sometimes causing unrest.
The Taliban is an Islamic movement that
ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001. After
the 9/11 attacks (see Fast Facts), Al-Qaeda
leaders were believed to be sheltering in
Afghanistan and this led to the country being
attacked by the United States and its allies.
They overthrew the Taliban government,
but Taliban troops have continued to fight
against the new government of Afghanistan
and against the US and allied troops that are
still stationed there.Russia, or the Russian Federation,
became the largest of the new
countries, continuing as a
communist state. Rebel fighters
from the Chechen Republic, or
Chechnya, have taken
hostages in an attempt to
get independence from
Russia. In 2008, Russia
and Georgia were
fighting over the control
of the areas of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia.PROTEST In 2008, people protested
during the conflict between Russia and
the independent state of Georgia.■ On September 11, 2001, terrorists
linked with a group called Al-Qaeda
attacked buildings in the United States.
These 9/11 attacks have led to a “War on
Terror” against Muslim militants.
■ Founded in 1945, the United Nations is
an international organization that seeks
to achieve world peace.FAST FACTS
CONFLICT IN AFGHANISTAN
BREAKUP OF THE USSRu CHECHNYA JOBS
Over 90 per cent of the
population of Chechnya
are unemployed. The
dangerous work of
climbing on to unstable
ruins to collect construction
material is one of the few
ways to make some money.u GULF OIL FIELD
The states around the Gulf have
become super rich due to the oil
revenue. The 300-mile (483-km)
long oil field in Saudi Arabia is the
world’s largest.(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.