There have been alliances for millennia. Nations sign treaties for mutual benefit or simply to spell out how they will behave with each other. A phenomenon was reborn in the late 20th century: virtual nations or empires.
So far, the impact of these empires without geography is minimal. The most important has been Muslim terrorist organizations such as Al Qaida. They use the technology of the internet to hold together individuals dispersed around the world. They are held together by an idea rather than physical borders.
Now, I say this phenomenon was "reborn" because quasi-governments have been around for a long time. Most religious faiths were not confined to national territories for very long. What is new is the means to "govern" these virtual nations or empires. Instant communication allows for unprecedented control and action. Virtual armies and banks are now available for use anywhere. This is the "reborn" version of the Knights Templar.
This "virtual empire" capability can allow groups to rise and spread quickly causing difficulties for real-world nations. If you are attacked, where do you retaliate? If you capture members of the virtual empire, you are faced with similar members in another location who can quickly take the place of the others.
Globalization... changing demographics... virtual empires... a different world in 2020.
