2000 and Beyond

The 2000s is the current decade, spanning from 2000 to 2009. The decade has been dominated by several wide-ranging topics, including international trade, concerns over energy supplies and global warming, the explosion in telecommunications, a growing concern with international terrorism and war, and an escalation of the social issues of the 1990s.

Economic developments have largely focused on the explosion of Asia's economic and political potential, with China experiencing immense economic growth, moving toward the status of a regional power and billion-consumer market. India, along with many other developing countries, has seen a rapid increase in the size of its economy, accelerated by increased technological integration with the economies of more developed countries. A trend connecting economic and political events in North America, Asia, and the Middle East is the rapidly increasing demand for fossil fuels, which — along with fewer new petroleum finds, greater extraction costs, and political turmoil — forced two other trends: a soar in the price of petroleum products and a subsequent push by governments and businesses to promote the development of "green" technology.

Technological advancements have been drastic. Digital technologies have advanced, not only with computers and the widespread proliferation of broadband internet, but also with mobile phones, digital cameras, and various digital music formats. Having an e-mail address, a cell phone, and a digital audio player are quickly becoming as common in many western countries as having a television set was in the 1960s; many in the West feel that it has become necessary to own a cell phone and email address to maintain social connections and employment.[citation needed] The use of internet commerce has also become widely popular, with such online elements as checking accounts, travel reservations, stock trading, and retail shopping.

Many major political developments in the 2000s have revolved around the War on Terrorism, which was triggered by the September 11, 2001 attacks and led to the war in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. These and other events have dominated the news almost daily, including the many controversies regarding their justifications and consequences. The Iraq War, launched in 2003, has generated extreme controversy around the world, with many questioning its justification or the United States' motives. Tensions have escalated in the Middle East because of the War in Iraq and the 2006 Lebanon War. North Korea generated a nuclear crisis by withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and conducting a successful nuclear test.

Social issues which became more pronounced included issues pertaining to homosexuality, in particular the issue of gay marriage, which was legalized by some major developed nations, including Canada and Spain, but met continued resistance in many countries and in most U.S. states. Other social issues of concern are gender equality, human rights, and health care (particularly in the United States).