- September 11, 2001: Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in the United States, resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. This event led to the War on Terror and the invasion of Afghanistan.
- October 7, 2001: The United States invades Afghanistan in response to the September 11 attacks.
- November 11, 2002: The United Nations Security Council passes Resolution 1441, demanding that Iraq disarm or face "serious consequences."
- March 19, 2003: The United States invades Iraq without explicit authorization from the United Nations Security Council.
- May 1, 2003: President George W. Bush declares the end of major combat operations in Iraq, but the war continues for several more years.
- December 26, 2004: A massive earthquake and tsunami hits the Indian Ocean, causing widespread destruction and loss of life in countries such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
- July 7, 2005: Four suicide bombers carry out coordinated attacks on the London transportation system, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds more.
- August 29, 2005: Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in the United States, causing catastrophic damage and flooding in the Gulf Coast region.
- February 25, 2006: The Philippines hold a snap presidential election, resulting in the victory of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amidst allegations of fraud and irregularities.
- July 13, 2006: Israel launches a full-scale military operation in Lebanon in response to Hezbollah attacks on Israeli territory.
- December 11, 2006: The United Nations Security Council passes Resolution 1737, imposing new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.
- January 1, 2007: Bulgaria and Romania join the European Union.
- February 5, 2007: The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank announce a debt forgiveness initiative for heavily indebted poor countries.
- March 19, 2007: The United Nations Security Council passes Resolution 1757, imposing sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear test.
- June 27, 2007: Gordon Brown succeeds Tony Blair as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- July 31, 2007: The European Union signs the Lisbon Treaty, reforming its institutions and creating a new position of President of the European Council.
- November 4, 2008: Barack Obama is elected as the first African-American president of the United States.
- December 11, 2008: The global financial crisis deepens as the United States enters a recession.
- January 20, 2009: Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States.
- April 1, 2009: The G-20 summit in London agrees on a plan to coordinate global economic recovery efforts.
- June 28, 2009: Honduras experiences a military coup, ousting President Manuel Zelaya.
- October 9, 2009: Pakistani Taliban militants attack a military base in the Swat Valley, leading to a military offensive and a humanitarian crisis.
- November 25, 2009: The International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur.
- January 12, 2010: A massive earthquake hits Haiti, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.