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War: Armed Conflict War Between Nations Civil War (inside a nation) Insurgency & Rebels

Where do you get information about world conflicts Where do you get information about world conflicts? What are the names of these countries in conflict? What is the reason for the conflict? Do you know where these places are located?

Pakistan Benazir Bhutto

Pakistan -Balochistan Conflict (rebel group in southwest) since 1947, several thousands dead -US drone attacks in Pakistan territory -Rising Islamic Insurgency in Pakistan

India

India -Pakistan’s enemy, both claim Kashmir region (north of India) -Many rebel groups want to break away -Mumbai Massacre: Nov 26 2008, 173 dead; Pakistani terrorists -Attacks on public transportation

Iran

Iran (Persia) -Not a big fan of the USA (Iranian Revolution 1979) -Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988 -Developing nuclear power officially since 2005 -Gaining influence over Iraq since 2004/2005

Afghanistan

Afghanistan -US-sponsored Afghans during 1979 Soviet Invasion -Since Oct 2001: US war with Afghanistan, goal was to get Osama Bin Laden (killed May 2, 2011) -Civilian deaths between 600,000 to over 2,000,000

IRAQ

Iraq -March 2003: USA attack Iraq -Civilian deaths between 100,000 to over 1,000,000 -Shi’a Muslims vs Sunni Muslims -Kurdish people also want independence -ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria)

ISIS/ISIL/IS Ad-Dawlah al-Islamiyah fi ‘l-Iraq wa-Sham (DAESH) Control over 10m people in Iraq/Syria, some control in Nigeria/Libya Beheadings, kidnapping of women, destruction of archaeological sites/artifacts (including Shi’a holy sites) Public executions of civilians or captured military personnel

Yemen

Yemen -Oct 2000 USS Cole attacked near Yemen coast -Many Al-Qaida hideouts; USA use drones to attack -Feb 2015: Government collapse within weeks -Houthi Rebels (w/Iranian support) vs Coalition

Palestine

Palestine & Israel -Palestine is territory of Israel & not its own country -Lots of hatred between both groups -Both groups claim the land as their “homeland” -Constant conflict against Israel since 1948, Fatah (West Bank) and Hamas (Gaza) clashes since 2007 -5 Million Palestinian refugees

Israel -20K Palestinians & 3K Israelis dead in attacks since 1948 Summer 2014: fights against Hamas, 2000 Palestinians die Hamas rocket launchers

Syria

Syria -Protests since March 2011 -President Assad’s Government vs. Coalition -200K killed; 2 million refugees

Egypt

Egypt -Jan 2011 government overthrown in 18 days -New government issues -Attacks against Coptic Christians -Problems with Muslim Brotherhood (now banned)

Nigeria

Nigeria -Ethnic violence -Christian vs Muslim violence -Boko Haram kidnaps -Oil rich region -“Nigerian Scam” emails

Somalia

Somalia -Pirates attack ships in Indian Ocean -New government formed in 2012, weak

China

China -Communist since 1949 -state owned industries; Millions died -Growing political power, military might ($?) -USA owes China $1.2 trillion dollars -Claim Taiwan & Tibet, Other islands -Cyberterrorism USA has $16 Trillion Debt. Nearly $5 trillion owed to other countries.

North Korea Kim Jong-un

North Korea -Korean War of 1950 never officially ended -March 13 2013: End of Armistice -Demilitarized zone to separate both sides -Current leader Kim Jung-un declared use of atomic weapons possible -Massive human rights violations; generations

-Fukushima Nuclear Disaster -Earthquake/Tsunami on March 11, 2011 Japan -Fukushima Nuclear Disaster -Earthquake/Tsunami on March 11, 2011

Mexico

Mexico -Since Dec 2006: Gov’t vs Drug Cartels -Over 100,000 dead -Drug Wars a major problem

Colombia

Colombia -Government vs Colombian rebels in jungles -Rebel groups: Kidnap, drugs, extortion Ingrid Betancourt

Russia

Russia -Many Islamic insurgent groups want independence -Brutal attacks by Russians and rebels

Beslan School Attack: Sept 2004

Ukraine

Ukraine -Pro-Euro vs Pro-Russian groups -Country divided; Massive protests -2014 Invasion of Crimea by Russia -Airplane shot down, 298 on board

USA

USA -NSA Spying on people (Project Prism) -Immigration issues -Health Insurance requirement -Obesity -Racism and Classism -Cuba relations improve