International Organizations
The United Nations Organization continues to operate from its European headquarters in Geneva but has been losing influence and members to its emerging rival, the Global Economies Organization, based in Davos.
The GEO evolved from the World Economic Forum and now exercises its authority through its members influence in global trade and finance. Critics argue that the GEO was formed by oligarchs for oligarchs. Supporters counter that the UNO is preserved by kleptocrats for kleptocrats.
A third group, the Tricontinental Monetary Union, consists of the BRICS nations and maintains the Meridiem (M) which now rivals the US Dollar and the Euro a a global reserve currency.
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| Rebecca Chouan |
The United States of America
The United States is still a major world power, though its standing has suffered over the years. Greenland is now a commonwealth similar to what Puerto Rico once was. Several states have been added to the union though the District of Colombia remains under Federal control. In addition, several major metropolitan areas have been designated Federal Special Economic Zones and are governed by administrators appointed by the federal bureaucracy.
Politically, the nation is in a state of deep division. Several states are in active and open defiance of the Federal Government. There are a number of ethnic, sectarian and political insurgencies in progress. The bureaucracy is a law unto itself, regardless of what party holds a controlling majority.
Constitutional amendments involving equity, citizenship and reproductive rights have been proposed. Several states have ratified these measures and act as if they have already been incorporated into the Bill of Rights.
Economically, the nation has suffered following the replacement of the dollar as the world's dominant reserve currency. In a number of states, the US Dollar is no longer considered an acceptable form of payment.
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| Armando Rivera |
Central & South America
Mexico is effectively under the control of a number of criminal cartels which fight amongst themselves for control of various forms of contraband trafficking. The United States maintains a security zone along the border with Mexico and occasionally launches cross border raids to disrupt cartel activities. In retaliation the Mexican government allows the cartels to support "Aztlan" and "Republica del Norte" insurgents in the United States.
South America is divided between a group of libertarian conservative governments led by Argentina in the south and several Bolivarian socialist governments in the north. Brazil is a major regional power but is currently obsessed with building an international alliance with Africa's Lusophone nations.
Central America is similarly divided between Mileioist libertarians and Bolivarian socialists.
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| Kalyna Boyko |
Europe
The European Union is a shadow of its former self. Several member nations have left the union and those which remain are plagued by the EU's obsession with supranational regulation and its inability to effectively govern.
Britain and France are troubled by ethnic and sectarian insurgencies while other nations are struggling to manage large numbers of migrants both legal and illegal.
Belarus and Ukraine are now EU protectorates with troops from several European and EU states stationed on its territory. An armistice with the Russian successor states remains in effect despite occasional violations by both sides.
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| Yevginy Bykov |
Eurasia
The Russian Federation collapsed following the end of the Eurasian War. The western Russian Republic of Muscovy continues trying to reassemble the Federation and to fantasize about reestablishing a Russian Empire. Most parts of the former Federation east of the Urals are either independent or are in varying states of dysfunction. The 'Stans of Central Asia and the republics in the Caucasus watch on nervously. Those territories formerly occupied by China are now united as the Far East Republic, and seek to maintain their independence from both Russia and China.
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| Kim Hyun-Kyun |
Asia
For a time China looked to be a rising power, but their entry into the Eurasian War on the side of the Coalition left them dangerously overconfident and overextended. The East Asian War saw them lose their newly acquired Siberian territories and the Allied blockade left their economy in shambles. A failed putsch against the Beijing government led to a breakdown in central authority. Much of the country is now under the control of regional CCP leaders and PLA officers. Every once and a while, warlord cliques form to seize control of Beijing or to consolidate their local authority.
Japan and South Korea are both undergoing demographic collapse. Both rely upon immigration, automation and AI to preserve their economic standing. As a consequence, both nations have become world leaders in the development of artificial persons and of human genomic engineering.
The Middle East
The peace established by the Abraham Accords holds, despite the best efforts of its opponents. The Gaza Strip is under the joint administration of Israel, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Qatar is currently the leading sponsor of numerous Islamist, jihadist and Palestinian nationalist groups and is the only open opponent of the peace between Israel and the Arab/Islamic world in the region.
Iran chose the losing side in the Eurasian War and the rule of the Ayatollahs was overthrown. The country is currently a secular constitutional regency but faces a persistent Islamist insurgency. Israel and the Abraham states support the government while Qatar, Palestinian emigres and some Yemeni tribes support the insurgents.
Africa
South Africa launched an aggressive land reappropriations program in the 2020s which resulted in the emigration of much of the country's rural white population. After several decades of mismanagement, the government is now trying to encourage emigres to return to restore the nation's agricultural sector.
After decades of misrule, Katanga and Kasai seceded from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Both did so with support from South African and Russian mercenaries.
Sectarian and tribal violence results in the secession of the predominantly Christian south from Nigeria. The State of Biafra becomes a major sanctuary for African Christians and animists fleeing Islamic persecution.
Somalia remains mostly dysfunctional. A national government maintains a presence in Mogadishu and in some of the larger settlements but rules nothing. Most Red Sea pirates operate out of Somali and Yemeni bases and sanctuaries.
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| Palantir Contract Surveillance Drone |
Tech Levels
In GURPS terms, the base tech level of this setting corresponds with the Transhuman Space setting. Most technologies are at TL 9 with medicine and biotech sitting at TL 10.
- Human genetic upgrades, including germline upgrades are readily available depending on jurisdiction. Parahuman / Transgenic upgrades are mostly restricted.
- First (Beta) Generation upgrades have Unusual Biochemistry [-5] as a disadvantage.
- Bioroids do not (officially) exist, but nobody denies that such things are being researched.
- Androids are common in many areas, particularly in various entertainment roles.
- Drones and teleoperation technologies are very advanced.
- Firearms haven't changed much. TL 6 & 7 designs are still in use. Composite cased ammunition is commonplace while metallic cased ammunition is mostly used for economy and in the grey markets. 3D printed firearms are widespread despite being outlawed in most areas.
- Fusion power is common in most First World nations while hydrocarbon power remains in use in less developed regions.
- Artificial Intelligence is in common use but no AIs have achieved self awareness. Most serve as specialized expert systems in data-rich fields.
- Permanent space stations have been constructed. Surface settlements and colonies have been established on both Luna and Mars. Interplanetary transit routinely travels from Earth to Mars and from Mars to the Belt.
