What are the top 10 events of the 21 century?

Answer 1

This question is actually unable to be answered yet, because the 21st century is not yet over. It is also difficult to answer because different events have different importances to different classes of peoples and different societies throughout the world. However, I would argue that due to its overwhelming impact on international relationships and the role of the United Nations in mediating among conflicting nations, one of the primary events of the 21st century so far has been the United States' intervention in the Middle East in Iraq. This has served as a catalyst for galvanizing alliances and establishing conflicts that have been smoldering for decades. Similar to the assassination of the Arch Duke in Serbia at the start of World War I, many nations are using the US presence in the Middle East as a reason to open hostilities with other nations. Not to appear to ethnocentric, but I believe that another important event was the passing of the Patriot Act and other legislation in the United States as a result of the terrorist attack in 2001. While the attack itself was of little importance on an international scale, the American reforms toward foreign policy and security measures has greatly impacted trade and communication with other nations. The third foremost event of the 21st century has not really been an event, but rather a trend. The modernization and advancement of India and China has resulted in a shift of economic power that will be greatly impacting the future of world commerce in decades to come. With the incredible populations of these two countries, over one billion, meeting the technological advances of the 21st century, these countries are beginning to mobilize into economic superpowers. Although not there yet, when the transformation is complete, this will also be one of the most important events in the 21st century.