Year of Unusual Partnerships and Elevated Disputes: Overview of Global Conflicts in 2024
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As we approach the midpoint of 2025, the world is grappling with a multitude of ongoing conflicts that have claimed numerous lives and left political stalemates in their wake. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, conflicts continue to shape the global landscape.
In Ukraine, the conflict, which began on February 24, 2022, has seen not only Russian troops but also North Korean soldiers involved. Rustam Nugudin, a commander in the Ukrainian military, expressed concern about the North Korean presence, stating that 10,000 North Korean soldiers is a significant addition to the conflict. However, North Korea's role in the conflict is not prominently reported as direct military involvement or forming unexpected alliances. Instead, global conflict zones are primarily shaped by local combatants, regional powers, and established international actors.
Similarly, in Gaza, the conflict has led to widespread destruction and has become an ongoing humanitarian crisis. The Hamas-led raid into Israel in October 2023 resulted in catastrophic humanitarian consequences, with over 44,000 Palestinians having died as a result of the conflict, and more than a million displaced individuals facing dire living conditions.
Elsewhere, conflicts are also persisting. In Ethiopia's Tigray region, renewed conflict has led to instability, while in Sudan, political turmoil continues. On the India-Pakistan border, tensions remain high, with the potential for larger powers to become involved depending on geopolitical developments.
In Northeast Asia, North Korea remains a key military and nuclear threat, but is not actively participating or allied in conflicts like Ukraine or Gaza. Its focus remains regional security and regime survival. The US-Korea alliance remains strong and is increasingly symmetrical, emphasizing military readiness and regional security primarily to counter Chinese and North Korean threats in Northeast Asia, but not explicitly engaging North Korea in conflicts outside the region.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, multiple conflicts are intersecting, with various groups vying for power. Russia has solidified its presence in Africa, particularly in Libya under the leadership of Khalifa Haftar. The Wagner Group's operations in the Sahel indicate a renewed focus on resource extraction and military engagement in Africa.
Iran continues to exert influence in the region through alliances with militant groups, such as Hezbollah. The recent ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has significant implications, as previous international support for Assad has diminished.
The threat of conflict in the Taiwan Strait remains unpredictable, with Taiwan preparing for varied outcomes and the situation highlighting a significant flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine conflict raises concerns about military alliances and potential exchanges of technological expertise between North Korea and Russia.
Despite the chaos in the Middle East, daily life remains largely unaffected in several countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The world risks escalation in other flashpoints, such as India-Pakistan tensions that could potentially draw in larger powers depending on geopolitical developments.
As we move forward, it is clear that the nature of international conflicts has evolved, leading to unexpected alliances and the emergence of new adversaries. However, it is also evident that these conflicts persist, with significant casualties and political stalemates. The global community must continue to work towards finding peaceful solutions and addressing the root causes of these ongoing conflicts.
- In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, where North Korean soldiers have recently been implicated, the role of politics and war-and-conflicts in shaping the global landscape is undeniable.
- As countries grapple with a multitude of ongoing conflicts, including Gaza and the Tigray region in Ethiopia, general news coverage remains crucial in highlighting the humanitarian crises, political stalemates, and underlying causes that require global attention.
