2015 in politics

Events

January

• January 1 - The Eurasian Economic Union comes into effect, creating a political and economic union between Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
• January 22 - After Houthi forces seize the presidential palace, Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi resigns after months of unrest.

  February

• February 12
• * Leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France reach an agreement on the conflict in eastern Ukraine that includes a ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weapons. However, several days later, the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels claim that, within its first day, the ceasefire was broken 139 times, as both sides failed to withdraw their heavy weapons and fighting had continued.
• * The United Nations Security Council adopts Resolution 2199 to combat terrorism.

  March

• March 12 - The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant becomes allies with fellow jihadist group Boko Haram, effectively annexing the group.
• March 25 - A Saudi Arabia-led coalition of Arab countries starts a military intervention in Yemen in order to uphold the Yemeni government in its fight against the Houthis' southern offensive.

  May

• May 20 - The two constituent republics of Novorossiya, the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic, announce the suspension of the Novorossiya project, returning to separate states.
• May 23 - Ireland votes to legalize same-sex marriage, becoming the first country to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote.

  June

• June 6 - The governments of India and Bangladesh officially ratify their 1974 agreement to exchange enclaves along their border.
• June 25-26 - ISIL claim responsibility for three attacks around the world during Ramadan:
• *Kobanî massacre: ISIL fighters detonate three car bombs, enter Kobanî, Syria, and open fire at civilians, killing more than 220.
• * Sousse attacks: 22-year-old Seifeddine Rezgui opens fire at a tourist resort at Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia, killing 38 people.
• * Kuwait mosque bombing: A suicide bomber attacks the Shia Mosque Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq at Kuwait City, Kuwait, killing 27 people and injuring 227 others.

  July

• July 20 - Cuba and the United States reestablish full diplomatic relations, ending a 54-year stretch of hostility between the nations.
• July 24 - Turkey begins a series of airstrikes against PKK and ISIL targets after the 2015 Suruç bombing.

  September

• September 30 - Russia begins air strikes against ISIL and anti-government forces in Syria–in support of the Syrian government.

  November

• November 7 - Chinese and Taiwanese presidents, Xi Jinping and Ma Ying-jeou, formally meet for the first time.
• November 13 - Multiple terrorist attacks claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Paris, France, result in 130 fatalities.

  December

• December 15 - The Islamic Military Alliance is formed in order to fight terrorism.