Where is there conflict in the World today? IGCSE Global Perspectives
Conflict The clashing of interests (positional differences) over national values of some duration and magnitude between at least two parties (organized groups, states, groups of states, organizations) that are determined to pursue their interests and achieve their goals. Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
A total of 345 conflicts were counted in 2008. Apart from the 39 conflicts fought out with the use of a massive amount of violence, 95 conflicts were conducted with sporadic use of violence and therefore classified as crises. In contrast, 211 non-violent conflicts were counted, which could be subdivided into 129 manifest and 82 latent conflicts. Compared to the previous year, the number of conflicts remained almost the same (344 in 2007 and 345 in 2008). Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
Conflict Items Territory Secession Decolonization Autonomy System/ideology National power Regional predominance International power Resources Others Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
It must be noted that conflicts very often involve more than one item. As in the years before, the most frequent conflict item in 2008 was system/ideology, with 107 cases. National power ranked second with 74, followed by resources with 71 cases. It must be noted that conflicts very often involve more than one item. Combinations of the three most frequent items were common, as was the combination of territory and resources, regional predominance and resources, or international power and system/ideology. Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
Europe Europe - severe crises Georgia (Abkhazia) - secession Georgia (South Ossetia) - secession Russia (Islamist rebels/Ingushetia) - secession, system/ideology Europe - wars Russia - Georgia - international power Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa - severe crises Burundi (Palipehutu-FNL Rwasa) - national power DR Congo (Bundu dia Kongo) - autonomy, system/ideology DR Congo (CNDP) - regional predominance, resources, other Kenya (opposition) - national power Kenya (SLDF) - regional predominance Mali (Tuareg/Kidal) - autonomy, resources Nigeria (Christians - Muslims) - system/ideology Nigeria (MEND, Ijaw/Niger Delta) - regional predominance, resources Sudan (SPLM/A / South Sudan) - territory, secession, resources Sub-Saharan Africa - wars Chad (various rebel groups) - national power Somalia (UIC) - system/ideology, national power Sudan (Darfur) - regional predominance, resources Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
The Americas The Americas - severe crises Colombia (FARC) - system/ideology, regional predominance, resources Mexico (drug cartels) - regional predominance, resources Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
Asia and Oceania Asia and Oceania - severe crises India (Islamists) - system/ideology India (Kashmir) - secession India (MPLF, ZRA, KCP/Manipur) - secession India (Naxalites) - system/ideology Pakistan (BLA, BRA, BLF/Balochistan) - secession, resources Pakistan (North and South Waziristan) - autonomy, system/ideology Pakistan (Sunnites - Shiites) - system/ideology, regional predominance Philippines (CPP, NPA) - system/ideology Philippines (MILF/Mindanao) - autonomy, system/ideology, resources Thailand (Muslim separatists/southern border provinces) - secession, system/ideology Asia and Oceania - wars Pakistan (Islamists) - system/ideology, national power Sri Lanka (LTTE) - secession Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research
The Middle East and Maghreb The Middle East and Maghreb - severe crises Iran (PJAK/Kurdish areas) - autonomy Iraq (al-Zarqawi group/AQI) - system/ideology, national power Iraq (insurgents) - system/ideology, national power Israel (PNA, al-Fatah, Hamas/Palestine) - secession, system/ideology, resources Lebanon (religious groups) - system/ideology, national power Yemen (Believing Youth Movement) - system/ideology The Middle East and Maghreb - wars Afghanistan (Taliban) - system/ideology, national power Iraq (al-Sadr group) - system/ideology, national power Turkey (PKK/KONGRA-GEL / Kurdish areas) - autonomy Source: Conflict Barometer 2008, Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research