User Guide

A
lthough the decade spanning 2000 —
2010 has been termed the “Decade of
Turmoil” in the popular media,
historians and sociologists alike are quick
to dispute the label. These chroniclers
point out that the upheaval which
coincided with the onset of 2000 was in
fact only the culmination of processes set
into motion in the 1980s — the cata-
strophic economic policies of the United
States, the conflict in the Middle East,
world-wide dependence on petroleum, the
collapse of the Soviet Union and the
resultant rise of nationalism globally.
Clearly, the events of the eighties and
nineties contributed in large part to
the shift in the global power structure
that occurred during the ’nils — in that,
the academics are correct. But from the
layman’s point of view, the past decade
stands alone in terms of dramatic,
unprecedented flux.
Despite official labels and debate, we at
SUDDEN DEATH are united in pro-
claiming these past ten years the “Decade
of the Merc.” In recognition of the un-
precedented growth of the mercenary
market, SUDDEN DEATH offers this
summary of the major news stories of
the past two decades, listing those
developments that the editorial staff feels
contributed to the formation of the new
world order which greets us as we enter
the next decade.
1992
Encouraged by the fall of
the Soviet Union and the
creation of the Commonwealth
of Independent States, minorities in
Eastern European states greet their
newfound freedom with a backlash of
militant nationalistic sentiment. Despite
their central governments’ assurances of
perestroika and an official commitment to
democratic and capitalistic ideals, the
majority of outlying satellite states
attempt to withdraw from the CIS. This
leads to minor military skirmishes
throughout the CIS, as the internal
stresses of intermittent conflict along
several fronts prompt resurgence of hard-
liner support in the government, con-
solidation of power in a strong central
government and intensification of nation-
alistic discontent.
1994
Iraq formally admits having a
nuclear strike capability. A
U.N. proclamation condemning
Iraq and authorizing the use of military
force against that country is issued. The
United States deploys its first occu-
pational force within Saudi Arabia since
Operation Desert Storm, launching
Operation Fallout, which consists of
“surgical” strikes against Iraqi nuclear
targets. These raids turn out to be some-
what less surgical than planned. A total
of twenty U.S. “smart” missiles strike
civilian populations, inflicting widespread
casualties. The resulting backlash of anti-
U.S. sentiment coalesces into Mideastern
jihad against the Western powers. Oil
exports are discontinued, and Westerners
in the Middle East are slaughtered.
The U.S. retaliates with punitive
strikes against Iraq and Iran. Meanwhile,
with petroleum scarce, the U.S. gov-
ernment escalates oil production and
drilling in Alaska. Accidents occur,
resulting in considerable environmental
damage. Alaska files a formal protest and
sues the U.S. government. The lawsuit is
dismissed in federal court.
1995
The European Nationalism
fostered in CIS satellite states
spreads to Western nations. In
Great Britain, Wales and Scotland
become secessionist, and terrorism flour-
ishes. Shock waves are felt throughout
the West when the English Parliament
Building is destroyed by terrorist bombing
during a full session on Guy Fawkes Day.
40
July 2011 • SUDDEN DEATH
DECADE OF TURMOIL WINDS TO A CLOSE