In 2012, the recession that started off in late 2008 brings the world's economies to a stand still. The EU and the UN disband. people start to vote for extreme parties in their contries, violence is way of life. Gangs roam the streets, taking what they want. The police have stopped fighitng the masses and join them, stating "why should we fight against what we belive?" Goverments cry for help.
The US, seeing itself the last stronghold of the vigilant and free begin to write up a new policy, where it would offer finincial aid to deperate contries if they joined their allied nations.
In the East, what few communist countries are left active decide this is thier chance, both China and North Korea invade Russia, Marching on Red Square. there is no resistance. Soon, folowing the plan of the Soviet Union, they start to re-establish the communist block. This time winning Germany Entirely, even though it responded to the US's financial aid. The Communist east established a new ally; the Middle East. Most of the countires governments blame the US for the econmic crisis and gladly join the communists ("the enemy of my enemy is my friend").
US' finacial aid programme reaches most of Western Europe, but the Communist's efforts have the US' allied nations in a bowl; the 'red' nations sweep across theto the antartic, to Germany, to the arctic.
There is increaed tension between the two opposing ideologies, but niether have the patience of the last democracy/ communist standoff.
The bombs fly in both directions.
There is an estimated 97% loss of life across the globe.