TIMELINE The following timeline summarizes the main events in Twilight: 2000 from 1989-1996.
1989
The year the Cold War ended. All across Europe, communist governments topple in response to pro-democracy demonstrations. The Soviet Union's new policy of encouraging political pluralism in Europe makes the end of bureaucratic Communism a certainty. The Berlin wall is torn down in spots, and German reunification is now spoken of openly the question is no longer "if" but rather "when." Riots in the Soviet republic of Azerbaijan (over alleged repression of Armenians) require intervention by Soviet troops, and the republic of Panama is invaded by the United States.
1990
The long-awaited (and long-feared, in some circles) reunification of Germany occurs as a result of de facto plebiscite elections. 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. Soviet troops begin to withdraw from Czechoslovakia, but the governments of Poland and Hungary (concerned over the specter of a reunified Germany) request continued Soviet troop presence and reaffirm their commitment to the Warsaw Pact.
1991
Ethnic and religious violence in the Central Asian republics of the Soviet Union escalates, and the Soviet Union increases its troop withdrawal schedule in order to use the forces inside its own borders. Germany opts for continued membership in NATO, but at a greatly reduced level of commitment, and turns its attentions to bringing the eastern portion of the country up to the standard of living of the west.
1992
In March, NATO, the Warsaw Pact, and German foreign ministers agree to the Rhineland Compromise, providing for token NATO forces to remain in the Rhineland for a period of five years. Civil war in Albania results in the fall of the Communist government.
1993
In China, underground pro-democracy organizations begin demonstrating in many of China's larger cities. While these remain relatively peaceful for a while, they soon erupt into violence, forcing military intervention. Within a year, many regions are effectively ruled by military commanders, modern versions of China's traditional warlords.
1994
In China, the central government is increasingly dominated by hard-line nationalists, who are supported by north Chinese warlords. New demands for border adjustments are made against the Soviet Union, and it is felt that given the Soviet internal problems, this might be the time to press for them internationally. As Europe shows signs of increasing instability, Germany begins quietly increasing its force structure.
1995
After a period of increasing tension and escalating border incidents, full-scale war erupts between the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. The Red Army enjoys rapid initial success, and tank columns roar deep into the northern Chinese industrial heartland. However, the Chinese surpass the expectations of most military analysts. While the Soviets continue to make impressive gains, their losses mount, and the tempo of advance slows, then grinds to a halt. Elsewhere in the world, tensions mount.
1996
Soviet forces launch a spring offensive against the Chinese. But despite good initial gains, the drive soon stalls, with further horrendous casualties. Poland sends an additional division to the Far East, but a wave of demonstrations in western Poland by ethnic Germans is violently suppressed by riot police, resulting in several deaths and numerous injuries. Germany protests and moves several divisions closer to the border. In June, a small group of senior officers of the German Army, as well as at least one German cabinet minister, open secret talks with the leadership of several German ethnic organizations in eastern Poland. These talks are accompanied by increasingly violent anti-government demonstrations in Poland by ethnic Germans. In mid-July there are frequent exchanges of fire and several border incidents between units of the Polish and German armies. On July 27 elements of the German III Corps cross the frontier in retaliation for what they described as a full-scale attack by the Poles. Claiming that its actions were justified by the military provocations of Poland and that it faces dismemberment as a state, Germany turns to its NATO partners for assistance. Some (like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom) join in, while others (like France, Greece, and Italy) refuse. A minor border incident between Hungary and Romania erupts into war, and Hungary invades Romania accompanied by its allies-Bulgaria and the USSR. Yugoslavia rallies to the aid of Romania, followed by Turkey. NATO responded shortly thereafter. The years 1997-2000 proceed much the same as before.