Timeline of geopolitical changes (2000–present)

This is a timeline of geopolitical changes around the world since 2000. It includes dates of declarations of independence, changes in country name, changes of capital city or name, and changes in territory such as the annexation, cession, concession, occupation, or secession of land. Territorial conquests as a result of war are included on the timeline at the conclusion of military campaigns. However, those changes in the course of specific battles and day-to-day operations are generally not included in this list. Changes in airspace and maritime territory are included only when they are subject to a dispute.

2000s

YearDateEvent2000 20 MarchSix weeks after the fall of Grozny, the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria is overthrown as a state following its defeat in the Battle of Komsomolskoye; as an insurgency it continues to resist Russian rule in Chechnya for years.24 MayIsrael completely withdraws from its occupation zone in southern Lebanon, where it is replaced by United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeeping forces.12 JuneSaudi Arabia and Yemen sign a treaty resolving their border dispute.17 AugustColombia returns its capital city's name from Santa Fe de Bogotá back to Bogotá, Distrito Capital. 5 SeptemberTaloqan, the de facto capital of the Islamic State of Afghanistan, falls to the Taliban's Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The capital moves to Fayzabad.2001 16 MarchThe ICJ resolves the territorial dispute between Bahrain and Qatar, awarding Fasht Al Azm, Qit'at Jaradah, and most of the Hawar Islands to Bahrain, and Fasht Dibal, Zubarah, and Janan Island to Qatar.21 MarchQatar and Saudi Arabia sign a treaty resolving their border dispute.1 JulyThe temporarily independent Puntland State of Somalia adopts a new constitution explicitly identifying itself as an "independent integral part of Somalia".7 OctoberThe United States and a NATO-led alliance invade Afghanistan, beginning an occupation which continued until 2021.13 NovemberThe capital of the Islamic State of Afghanistan returns to Kabul with the reconquest of the city by the forces of the Northern Alliance, beginning a cascading collapse of the Taliban forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.17 DecemberThe Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is completely overthrown following its defeat in the Battle of Tora Bora. The Taliban soon reemerges as an insurgency. 23 DecemberThe Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros changes its name to the Union of the Comoros.2002 14 February The State of Bahrain changes its name to the Kingdom of Bahrain.10 MarchThe Union of the Comoros reabsorbs the de facto independent State of Anjouan. Mutsamudu yields to Moroni as the capital.20 MayThe Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste gains independence with the promulgation of a constitution and the conclusion of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor. Dili remains the capital.21 MayThe United Kingdom changes the title of its British Dependent Territories to that of British Overseas Territories. The citizens of each British Overseas Territory gain full British citizenship.2003 4 FebruaryThe Federal Republic of Yugoslavia changes its name to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.20 MarchUnited States-led coalition forces invade Iraq, beginning an occupation which lasts for more than eight years.28 MarchFrance reorganizes the Territorial collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon as the Overseas collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. France reorganizes the Overseas Territory of Wallis and Futuna as the Overseas collectivity of Wallis and Futuna. France reorganizes the Overseas Territory of French Polynesia as the Overseas collectivity of French Polynesia. 15 AprilUnited States forces conquer Tikrit, the last stronghold of Ba'athist Iraq.26 MayThe Rwandese Republic changes its name to the Republic of Rwanda.2004 9 JanuaryKazakhstan agrees to a revision of the terms of Russia's lease of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, extending it to 2050 with no established options on further extensions.27 FebruaryFrance elevates the Overseas collectivity of French Polynesia to the Overseas Country of French Polynesia. 29 MarchBulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia join NATO in the alliance's fifth enlargement.1 MayTen more states join the European Union: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.1 SeptemberThe Antarctic Treaty Secretariat administering Antarctica and all lands and waters south of the 60th parallel south establishes its headquarters in Buenos Aires, Argentina.7 DecemberThe Islamic State of Afghanistan changes its name to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with the end of the transitional period set out in the new constitution.2005 27 AprilSyrian troops withdraw from Lebanon, bringing an end to the Syrian occupation of Lebanon.12 SeptemberIsrael completely withdraws its forces from the Gaza Strip. A Palestinian Civil War leads to Gaza effectively withdrawing from the Palestinian Authority and becoming a separate entity under Hamas by June 2007.6 NovemberMyanmar moves its capital from Yangon to Naypyidaw.2006 Uzbekistan rejoins the Collective Security Treaty Organization after previously leaving in 1999.3 JuneThe Republic of Montenegro secedes from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Podgorica remains the capital.5 JuneThe Republic of Serbia supersedes the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Belgrade remains the capital.7 OctoberPalau moves its capital from Koror to Ngerulmud.2007 1 JanuaryBulgaria and Romania join the European Union.15 JanuaryThe Kingdom of Nepal changes its name to the State of Nepal.21 FebruaryFrance detaches the overseas collectivity of Saint Barthélemy from Guadeloupe. Gustavia becomes the capital.France detaches the overseas collectivity of The Collectivity of Saint Martin from Guadeloupe. Marigot becomes the capital.France integrates the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean into the French Southern and Antarctic Lands as its fifth district. 22 OctoberThe Republic of Montenegro changes its name to Montenegro.2008 17 FebruaryThe Republic of Kosovo declares independence from Serbia, which continues to claim it as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija; other countries divide on recognizing its declaration. Pristina remains the capital.4 AugustThe State of Nepal changes its name to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.11 AugustThe separatist forces of South Ossetia, supported by Russia, completely expel the forces of Georgia from the territory of the former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast, which Georgia continues to claim in its entirety.12 AugustThe separatist forces of Abkhazia, supported by Russia, completely expel the forces of Georgia from Upper Abkhazia, the last territory held by Georgia in the region which it continues to claim in its entirety.14 AugustNigeria completes the transfer of Bakassi to Cameroon, fulfilling the terms of a 2002 ICJ ruling on the disputed territory.27 AugustRussia recognizes the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia. Most countries continue to recognize these territories as part of Georgia.14 OctoberChina is ceded of land by Russia as part of a treaty delimiting the borders and settling a territorial dispute between the two countries.2009 7 FebruaryThe Republic of Bolivia changes its name to the Plurinational State of Bolivia.1 AprilAlbania and Croatia join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the alliance's sixth enlargement.21 JuneImplementing the decision of a November 2008 referendum, Greenland achieves expanded home rule within the Danish Realm.14 JulyChina is ceded of land by Kyrgyzstan as part of a treaty delimiting the borders between the two countries.1 SeptemberThe British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena and Dependencies changes its name to Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Jamestown on Saint Helena remains the capital.24 NovemberThe United States cedes six uninhabited islands totaling in the Rio Grande river to Mexico and Mexico cedes three uninhabited islands and two bancos totaling after pending for 20 years.

2010s

YearDateEvent201021 AprilUkraine extends Russia's lease on naval facilities in Sevastopol for an additional twenty-five years beyond the 2017 expiration, until 2042, with further renewal options thereafter.10 OctoberThe Kingdom of the Netherlands dissolves the Netherlands Antilles. New polities include: The constituent country of Curaçao. Willemstad remains the capital. The constituent country of Sint Maarten. Philipsburg remains the capital.