Hi OP. This post has just been reported for violating the sub's "no current events" rule. If you are indeed interested in the present, you might try x-posting to /r/geopolitics or one of the UK subs (/r/AskUK?).

Meanwhile, I've re-approved this post for /r/AskHistorians, but on the condition anyone answering confine themselves to events and conditions up to 1998 only.

Thanks