Differences (New Union)

The following sections will describe the many differences between the New Union timeline and our own timeline. It is written from an OTL perspective, allowing for a quick and easy history lesson.

Languages
With the Soviet Union continuing to exist, the would remain official for the speakers of, , and. The is officially regarded as a dialect of  and no longer regarded as a separate language. While not an official language, the dialect (spoken among the Cossacks) is gradually being regarded as a separate language from both  and. While Moldova becomes more Romanianized, the continues to be recognized within.

With the continuation of and the federalization of, the  continues to be regarded as a single language as opposed to multiple languages among the bickering peoples. ,, , and only exist as national dialects (though Croatia does attempt to claim themselves as a separate language in many areas).



Throughout the early 1990s, the Soviet Union continues to give aid to the pro-Soviet government of, who thereby is able to hold onto power in Afghanistan despite continued fighting by the. Because of which, Najibullah continues his work to end the decades-long fighting within the nation. His work pays off in 1994 when the former King of Afghanistan agrees to return to the nation in order to help broker peace. In a historic move (supported by Najibullah and brokered by the USSR), the "Kingdom of Afghanistan" is reestablished under a new democratic constitution. The majority of the Mujahideen (including noted leader ) drop their arms and accept the new government (mostly on the grounds of not fighting against the former King). Najibullah willingly steps down and retires from politics, though he continues to work on peace both globally and domestically.

Despite the major peace deal, the more radical elements in the south ignore this and eventually continue fighting (headed by and ). When neighboring recognizes these forces as the true government of Afghanistan and offers aid for them, the Soviet Union once again finds themselves engaged in war in Afghanistan. This doesn't go farther than simply increasing their aid to Kabul and brokering support from and other Soviet allies. This new period of fighting come to an end by the late 1990s with a Kabul victory (yet with rebel forces remaining strong in the south and border provinces near Pakistan). Since the early 2000s, Afghanistan has been in a period of peace which it hasn't had in decades. Since Pakistan virtually abandoned Kabul by supporting the rebels, Afghanistan has remained closely linked with Moscow.

Taliban
Since Afghanistan throughout the 1990s avoided being divided among warlord factions, the as we know it doesn't exist. (founder of the Taliban) doesn't form the group because of his general support for the Pakistani-backed government in the area being strong enough to keep general order. He remains satisfied continuing his Islamic studies and remaining out of the fighting. Despite the Taliban not existing, the radical Islamic factions in southern Afghanistan are the closest comparison to OTL, but are more comparable to Pakistan as opposed to the fundamental theocratic ideologies of OTL.

Following the defeat of the pro-Pakistani government, these groups reorganize themselves to establish an independent nation called the by the early 2000s. Only reorganized by, Pakistan, and the ; Pashtunistan is politically similar to Pakistan (dominated by ). It only has control over the southernmost provinces and those along the border with Pakistan. The situation is similar to that of, with fighting between the regions being minimal.

China(s)
The and the  (Taiwan) are still divided by two different governments. After Gorbachev's reforms, the PRC would continue to move away from the USSR politically, leading to some tensions within China. Hong Kong and Macau would be reunited with China (as in OTL). While the mainland is still tenuous in nature, the political atmosphere in Taiwan is very different from OTL, as more and more Taiwanese are supportive of reunification or keeping the status quo (unlike OTL).



With the USSR continuing to exist, Cuba would continue to work closely with their major ally. Despite the not happening, the Cuban government would have some problems. As feared, the continued cooperation with the new USSR would lead to the Cuban people wanting similar change. Finally breaking out into full protest on August 5, 1994, Cuba would not have the "luxury" to act against its people as in OTL (since fear that the USSR would stop funding, or even support the protesters, gripped Castro). Based on the possibilities of another revolution and even a potential American invasion, would shock the world by announcing his resignation as President, and allowing the first free elections to take place by the following year. Within a year, Cuba would begin their own glasnost and perestroika, elect a new President and a new National Assembly. The country continues to be a prominently socialist nation, and has close relations with Nicaragua and Venezuela (not to mention the continued support by the Soviet Union). Due in part to these reforms, the United States would end their embargo on the island nation, and restart relations with their long lost neighbor.

Due in part to the success of the new Soviet government, as well as the fear that Communism may retake the nation; the Czechs and Slovaks see beyond their differences, and look towards a continued future together. The "Czech and Slovak Federal Republic" (otherwise known as Czechoslovakia) continues to exist as a united nation, ironically united under a Soviet-styled federation.

Despite being too late to prevent the collapse of the communist government and the eventual withdraw of Eritrea, the Soviets would not turn their backs on their major African ally. Gorbachev would be supportive of a Soviet-styled government between the ethnic groups of Ethiopia, leading to the formation of modern day Ethiopia. Despite the long road, Ethiopia has risen from the ruins of the 1980s, and has become a powerful nation in northern Africa.

Iraq


During the (pre-POD), Mikhail Gorbachev was considered by the Americans as being "too soft" towards Iraqi dictator. Because he remains in power, and the USSR's had a history of supporting Iraq, the US foreign policy would remain anti-Saddam. Consequently when the CIA learned of a assassination plot against Hussein, it secretly supported the coup. With this backing, the plan would remain secret (unlike OTL), and would eventually become successful. Hussein was assassinated in 1995.

Despite the hopes of the Iraqis, the Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq took their chances and declared independence. Due in part to neighboring Turkey, which opposed any independent Kurd state (in fear that it would spark revolts in the Kurdish regions of its own country), no nation recognizes the independence of Kurdistan. While is avoided, a bitter conflict between the breakaway nation and Baghdad would further prevent peace initiatives. The conflict intensified when the Shia-dominated south followed in Kurdistan's footsteps and declared sovereignty from Baghdad.

Backed by the United Nations, a ceasefire and peace process took place by 1999. During the peace talks, Gorbachev, now retired, proposed transforming Iraq from a unitary state into a union of sovereign states (not unlike the USSR). The idea gained strong support from the Shias, but mixed feelings from the Kurds and Sunnis. Despite this all three would eventually agree to a union. It was proposed that the Sunni-dominated "Republic of Iraq" simply become united with the two remaining regions in a new nation called the "". The name change gained strong support from the people, allowing to restart with a fresh slate (so to speak). A new constitution was implemented on January 1, 2001.

Japan
As part of their move to bring final peace between the Soviet Union and, the issue of the of the  would be brought back to the table. While hesitant at first, the Gorbachev administration would soon agree to bring up the issue. Between 1992 and 1994, the dispute would come to a resolution, with the news that the USSR will transfer the four disputed islands to Japan. As part of the eventual treaty, the four islands would be treated similarly to upon its  in 1972. The USSR would retain sovereignty of their military stations for a 20 year period, and the Soviet citizens (primarily for those living and depending on the islands for fishing) would be allowed visa-free access to the islands (similar to OTL).



After a referendum held on the islands, the Russian-speaking population voted in favor of the move, due in part to the guarantee of Japanese money and aid being invested into the islands infrastructure (it should be noted that in the early '90s, it was unclear [especially within the USSR] exactly what the USSR was becoming). The islanders also requested to be admitted as a self-administrative prefecture (rather than being a subordinate of ). Despite a hitting the islands on October 4, 1994, the transfer took place on scheduled on January 1, 1995. On that day, the four islands became the (named after the Japanese name for the Kuril Islands), with the renamed town of  (formerly Yuzhno-Kurilsk) as the prefectural capital. As part of the same treaty, the two nations sign a peace treaty, ending all hostilities that may have remained after.

Japan will soon send economic aid to the Soviet Union, further helping the USSR out of their early '90s recession. Cooperation between the two nations would benefit both greatly. The new Chishima Prefecture would begin to rise under Japanese administration. In great part to the Soviet's moving of military and national defense to the northern islands, the entire archipelago would benefit from the treaty. According to the treaty, the Soviet Union will hand over total sovereignty of the islands to Japan by 2015, which seems to be taking place on scheduled.

Korea(s)


Despite global change and growing cooperation between the east and west, the Korean peninsula remains divided by the in the south, and the  in the north. Despite this, the situation on the peninsula can be considered very different from our timeline. The Soviet Union would now take an active role in the peninsula, and working for peace between the two nations. With the election of, the would become a major breakthrough between Korean relations (with the policy remaining in affect to this day). With pressure from the Soviet Union in the north, Pyongyang would eventually agree to cut back its nuclear arms program. Enticed by this, President Bill Clinton would take a more positive foreign relation towards the North. While unification is probably a greater possibility in this timeline, the peninsula is still too active to know for sure.

As in our timeline, the UN-backed forces in Somalia would fail to bring peace, allowing a safe haven for terrorism and piracy. This safe haven would eventually lead to a joint Ethiopian-Soviet invasion of Somalia in 2004. Somalia now resembles Iraq from OTL, with foreign forces still patrolling the streets, and a currently uncertain future.


 * : The people of Somaliland would be a grateful ally of the Soviets during the . Because of which, the USSR begins to help supply the region. The Soviets would go a step further, and recognizes the independence of Somaliland. The UK and the US would follow suit, leading to the global recognition of the republic today.

With Afghanistan not being a safe haven for their cause, Al-Qaeda and would remain in Sudan. With nowhere to go, bin Laden would further agree to fund and support the government of, which leads to the continued protection of Al-Qaeda by Sudan. After the attacks of 9/11, the United States launches an invasion of Sudan, which becomes this timeline's Afghanistan.
 *  and : During the invasion and war, the Americans would gain huge support from the people of southern and western Sudan. This would eventually lead to the independence of and  shortly after the conflict, which gains strong support from the international community.



The United States does not greatly differ from our timeline. With the Cold War over, the United States would also work for good relations with the reformed Soviet Union. While a rivalry continues to exist between the two, it is no longer considered a major threat to global security.


 * New States

Due primarily to the political reforms in Cuba and the increased Soviet presence in the Caribbean because of which, Puerto Ricans would feel less comfortable with the status quo. In the, Puerto Ricans vote in favor of statehood into the United States. Enticed by this, the other territories of the US begin demanding similar votes. By the turn of the new millennium, the US would gain two new states. The former Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is combined with the to create the State of Puerto Rico, while  and the  are merged into the State of Mariana. Unable to gain statehood within its own right, Samoans eventually vote in favor of a merger with.

Yemen


Like OTL, attempts to re-establish independence from what it sees as a i-dominated nation. Rather than ignore their former Cold War ally, Mikhail Gorbachev and the Soviet Union begin to speak out for the South Yemenis. While not advocating independence, the Soviet support give enough intensive for sympathizers in Saudi Arabia to act, giving aid and supplies to South Yemen who now stand a chance. The Soviets eventually push for independence, back by Saudi Arabia and the pro-Saudi United States. By the mid 1990s, Yemen is once again divided.

While South Yemen moves to model itself on the Soviet model of democracy, continues to rule the "Republic of Yemen," which continues to claim all of Yemen but only have control over the north. Saleh remains in power until being removed during the in 2011. Meanwhile, South Yemen is able to reform into a democratic state, thereby avoiding the chaos of the.

Yugoslavia


The reforms of the Soviet Union were far too late to save their Slavic brethren on the Adriatic Sea, but not too late to profoundly impact the outcome of the Yugoslav Wars. While the USSR would not go to war themselves, they would support peaceful solutions to the conflict, as well as ways to reunite the former nation. This is interpreted by the Croats and Serbs as the USSR's willingness to go to war in the region, which leads to a completely different Balkan region. In 1994, the would be annexed into Serbia, with  being annexed by Croatia soon after. Bosnia would become two separate enclaves from the vast region it once held for centuries. Despite the war seeming more active, there would (ironically) be less bloodshed during the war, but crimes against humanity would be charged to both Yugoslavia and Croatia. The war would end in the late 90s, with a rump Yugoslavia to take the place of the former nation.
 * Dardania (Kosovo): Despite Yugoslavia remaining a nation, the sovereignty ideals of the Soviet Union would help to shame the war-torn nation. Supported by many ( is most noted), Yugoslavia would eventually form themselves into a Soviet-styled federation of sovereign republics. Over time, this gained support from the Albanian majority in Kosovo, eventually leading to an Albanian republic of Yugoslavia named (which includes parts of Macedonia).
 * Macedonia: While the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" gained their independence by peaceful means (in comparison to the others), this did not stop growing ideals of potential reunification. In combination of growing nostalgia and reforms of Yugoslavia, international pressure from neighboring Greece, and the growing pressure from the Albanian population of Macedonia; the Macedonian people would eventually support the reunification, leading to a bigger and friendlier Yugoslavia.

Politics



 * Cold War: The term "Cold War" has greatly changed since the fall of communism. Culturally, the Cold War has been over since the 1990s, with the United States and the Soviet Union growing closer and becoming more friendly with each other. Politically and militarily, the Cold War continues to play an important role between American and Soviet policies.


 * Superpowers: The Soviet Union retained its superpower status after the reformation, and the USSR continues to have a major influence globally. Thought the world is no longer divided between American and Soviet influences, there are still nations with cooperate with one over the other.


 * KGB: The "Committee on State Security" would continue to exist, and would act more like the current . The KGB continues to be one of the top intelligence agencies of the world.


 * NATO: Due to Soviet pressure, the (NATO) would not expand their influences beyond Germany. With the power vacuum in place, the former Eastern Bloc would move towards a neutral existence between NATO and the Soviets. This "" would act like a mediator between the two powers.


 * European Union: While NATO is seen as a divide between the East and West, the European Union would gradually be seen more as a supporter of European sovereignty and independence, neutral from both the USA and USSR. The EU is currently moving away from both superpowers, growing more and more into its very own superpower.


 * Communism: Communism has continued to change in this timeline. More nations would move away from hardline ideologies, and many more dropping communism for socialism. Today, only remains a communist dictatorship, while  continues to run under a single-party state. Wanting to remain in the Soviet sphere (rather than in China's),  and  would gradually move towards a Soviet-styled economy and political system; while  would break out into revolt against hardline communism.



Thanks to the efforts of Gorbachev and his reforms, the Soviet Union would gradually evolve from a single-party state into a true democratic federation. Each republic of the USSR would gain greater sovereignty from Moscow, allowing for regional growth which further helps the USSR out of its 1980s-90s recession. The Soviet Union would also continue to expand its global position, cooperating with many nations (aside from ones who are compatible to the USSR [a la ]). The USSR would recognize the independence of the Armenia, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Moldova by 1992. Despite hopes for positive relations, war will break out between the USSR and its former republics of Georgia and Moldova over disputed regions. By late 1992, the break-away regions of Abkhazia, Gagauzia, South Ossetia, and Pridnestrovie (Transnistria) would be secured and willingly merged into the USSR. With the continuation of the "," many more autonomous regions within the USSR would demand (and eventually receive) full republican status.


 * Chechnya

With no coup against Gorbachev, the (lead by ) would not feel the complete removal of the Soviet government of the  was needed, leading to the continuation of the republic (not to mention the continued unity between the Chechens and Ingush). Despite not taking over the government, the NCChP would continue to support complete sovereignty for the Chechens (and Ingush), with hops of becoming a full republic of the USSR. Despite hopes of this being done peacefully, violence breaks out as many also advocate the complete independence from the USSR (which many already realize is impossible). By 1993, Checheno-Ingushetia (along with Tatarstan and Tuva) is considered a major issue within Moscow. Believing that it was only inevitable, it is finalized that Checheno-Ingushetia would become a full republic. With the republic remaining part of the USSR, Russian President would come out in favor of it (since oil pipelines in the region would remain within Soviet sovereignty). By February 1993, the recently renamed " is upgraded to a full republic. With sovereignty obtained, tensions between Moscow and Solzhakala (Grozny) begin to fade. War in the region is completely averted, allowing for economic and population growth.

Space



 * Soviet space program: In 1993, the space program of the USSR was organized into a NASA-like entity known as the . The Baikonur Cosmodrome continues to act as the primary spaceport for the USSR. The city of has become something like the " of the Soviet Union," with the city growing in size in only a few years.


 * Buran Program: Instead of canceling the program, the citizens and scientists of the Soviet Union would show more interests in the Buran program (primarily as a means to get civilians active and to bring a new light to the old age of . By 1995, both the United States and the Soviet Union have working shuttle programs.


 * International Space Station: Despite the fact that there are now two shuttle programs, the ISS would not be built. With a better Soviet economy and optimism, the idea of combining ' and ' into the ISS would not be thought of as likely. Instead, both stations would become their own, run by their respective governments. Despite there not being cooperation on a single space station by the USA and USSR, there is still a cooperation between the two nations. "Soviet astronauts" have served on Freedom, while "American cosmonauts" have served on on Mir-2.


 * Soviet Moonshot and Extraterrestrial: Announced in 2005, the Soviet space program has begun work for a Soviet Moonshot and beyond. The USSR announces that the Moonshot program will begin in 2012, with a Moon landing as early as 2015. Despite the Americans wanting to win this "second space race," the American Constellations Program is set for a Moon landing as early as 2020.