Global Conflict Landscape: A Dangerous Peak Since WWII
Global Conflict Levels Soar, Remaining Unseen Since Post-World War II Era
Hang out with the cool kids because the world's conflict scene is as heated as ever! Last year smashed records for global conflicts since the end of World War II, with an astonishing 61 hotspots found in 36 countries. The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) spilled the tea in a report, revealing that 2022 had 59 conflict zones in a total of 34 countries.
"The world is a hot mess, man, more violent and fragmented compared to a decade ago," asserted lead author Siri Aas Rustad. Africa and Asia were the hardest-hit continents, boasting 28 and 17 conflicts, respectively. The Middle East, Gulf region, Europe, North America, and South America each had their fair share, totaling ten, three, three, two, and two conflicts, respectively. More than half of the conflict-stricken countries were smack dab in the middle of two or more conflicts simultaneously.
Death toll numbers weren't much different, registering approximately 129,000 deaths. The Ukraine conflict and the Gaza conflict claimed the most lives, followed closely by fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region.
Rustad wasn't just whistling Dixie when she cautioned against the United States taking a step back from the global stage. She watching-the-sky-for-jet-planes and warned that abandoning international engagement, a la the "America First" policy of President Trump, would be a risky move with long-lasting consequences for humanity.
"It's not carpe diem, it's more like carpe solidarity," Rustad furrowed her brows, cautioning that turning away from global camaraderie would mean turning our backs on the stability built post-1945 with US help.
This year's conflict hotspots stretch across the globe. Ukraine remains the epicenter of global geopolitics, with Russia and Ukraine tangled in a brutal war. Gaza and Israel/Palestine have once again become a focal point, causing significant civilian casualties, humanitarian crises, and widespread international concern. Sudan is experiencing intense internal conflict, resulting in mass displacement and severe humanitarian consequences. Ethiopia faces persistent fighting, especially in the Tigray and other regions, which has caused devastation and led to famine and displacement.
The South China Sea continues to be a battleground, with China, the US, and neighboring countries locking horns in tense military activity and territorial disputes. India and Pakistan, particularly in the Kashmir region, are facing heightened tensions following a major terrorist attack in 2025. Africa's Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, and Great Lakes region have become a breeding ground for armed conflicts, atrocity crimes, and massive displacement. Myanmar is under military pressure, with government crackdowns and internal fighting contributing to a worsening humanitarian situation. Finally, both Syria and Yemen continue to face the grim realities of prolonged conflicts, blockades, and acute food insecurity.
In the past, inter-state wars dominated the conflict landscape, but since WWII, we've seen a shift towards intra-state conflicts, often fueled by ideological, ethnic, or resource-based tensions. PRIO's data shows a noticeable increase in low-intensity but protracted civil wars and insurgencies, alongside ongoing great power tensions. As a result, the number of forcibly displaced persons has spiked dramatically from 37 million in 2005 to a staggering 123 million by October 2024.
Summary Table: Global Conflict Hotspots and Trends
| Region/Conflict | Type | Recent Developments ||-----------------------------|---------------------|---------------------------------|| Ukraine | Inter-state/Civil | Ongoing war with Russia || Gaza/Israel/Palestine | Civil/Inter-state | Humanitarian crisis, blockades || Sudan | Civil | Widespread violence, displacement|| Ethiopia | Civil | Famine, ethnic conflict || South China Sea | Inter-state | Territorial disputes || India-Pakistan (Kashmir) | Inter-state | Escalated tensions, nuclear risk || Sahel/Lake Chad/Great Lakes | Civil | Atrocity crimes, displacement || Myanmar | Civil | Military crackdown, displacement || Syria/Yemen | Civil/Proxy | Blockades, food insecurity |
"In light of the escalating global conflicts, it's crucial for both community and employment policies to accommodate individuals displaced from war-and-conflicts-stricken regions. The political landscape has significantly shifted since WWII due to the increase in general-news topics related to worldwide conflicts and the growth of intra-state conflicts."
"To foster international cooperation and proximity, it's essential for governments to prioritize addressing current conflict zones identified in the Peace Research Institute Oslo's reports, including Ukraine, Gaza/Israel/Palestine, Sudan, Ethiopia, South China Sea, India-Pakistan (Kashmir), Sahel/Lake Chad/Great Lakes, Myanmar, and Syria/Yemen, within employment and community policies."
