20122015

2012–2015 refers to the period spanning the years 2012 through 2015. It was marked by major political, economic, scientific, and cultural developments around the world.

On the political front, the Syrian civil war continued to destabilize the region, generating humanitarian crises and international intervention. In 2014 Russia annexed Crimea, intensifying East–West tensions and prompting sanctions. The Snowden disclosures in 2013 brought renewed scrutiny of government surveillance and privacy. In 2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action addressing Iran's nuclear program was agreed, and the COP21 summit in Paris produced the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.

Economic conditions varied by region: many advanced economies pursued gradual recovery from the prior crisis, with the United States posting steady job growth, while several European economies faced austerity measures and slow growth. World commodity prices fell in 2014–2015, affecting energy- and commodity-dependent economies.

Scientific and technological developments included the 2012 announcement of the Higgs boson and NASA's Curiosity rover continuing Mars exploration. The period also saw rapid growth in smartphones and online services, the 2012 Facebook IPO, and major sporting events such as the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Significant disasters and health events included the 2014–2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which prompted a global public health response, and the 2015 Nepal earthquake that caused extensive damage and loss of life.