United Kingdom does not participate, re-establishing its old currency. Massive oil discovery in Venezuela. Within a period of two weeks, Brazil moves in and grabs the oilfields, then the capital, then the rest of the country. American neutrality proves to have been bought with the promise of oil. Tel Aviv, Cairo and Damascus are all blasted by concealed nuclear weapons.
Interim governments patch up a truce immediately.
Anti-lCBM laser technology developed. Brazilian War fizzles out with little effect. Quebec economy worsens. Asian provinces of Paneurope wracked by riots, racial strife, strikes. Chinese interference is suspected.