A year passes, and most of what was America is divided between Canada and Mexico. Only a handful of states were able to stay alive, those being, Washington, New York, Arizona, and Hawaii. Each one is now considered it's own country, but they help each other out when possible. The strongest connection is between Hawaii and Washington because, of it's size, no one can control the Pacific Ocean perfectly. Washington and Arizona are able to trade and give supplies, but the distance makes it hard. New York had only been surviving because of it's large population and it's large amounts of money, but, now, it's close to be taken out.
Meanwhile, China and Russia make a treaty, but don't give out it's contents to other counties. It's an agreement for China to start it's long wanted conquest across Asia, but it will leave Russia alone. Because Russia knows the Chinese only proposed the idea because they don't want such a large enemy during the conquest of the smaller countries, Russia still prepares for an inevitable attack in the future.