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In the Europe of 2015 the economic power of the West has all but collapsed under the weight of the new Chinese superpower.
The unilateral withdrawal of British and EU forces from the Middle East in 2009 created a rift with the US that has never healed and ultimately led to the break-up of NATO. In 2010, encouraged by a strong Republican Senate, President John McCain launched what he called "surgical sub-critical nuclear strikes" (SCNS) against sites in Iran believed to contain centres of WMD development. The resultant condemnation from the rest of the world has resulted in heavy trade embargoes on the US and further economic decline. To counter these embargoes the US has made alliances with many countries it previously considered undesirable, especially now the technologically advanced weapons that previously made US militarily dominant cannot now be afforded.
By 2012 nations still exist, however with porous borders and millions of economic refugees most of Europe is now becoming a lawless area with alliances being made and broken as various power groups jostle for supremacy. Global corporations, both legal and illegal have taken to hiring mercenaries to protect their interests. These private armies are equal in ability and leadership to remaining national armed forces, although often tasked with very different duties. In a world in collapse there is rarely a shortage of skilled personnel.
Also competing for power are the various 'Peoples Armies' and militias, generally based around ethnic and economic groupings. With unofficial help from former Soviet and now occasionally US advisors, they have the motivation of fighting on their home soil - for them defeat can only mean the ruination of their homeland.
Welcome to the future.
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