International Conflicts
Task:
Choose a current or recent international conflict where an English-speaking country is/was involved, directly or indirectly. There are many different types of conflicts you can choose from. For example
territorial disputes
intrastate/civil wars
interstate wars
sectarian conflicts
transnational terrorism
If you are unsure what to choose, your English teacher will help you find a relevant conflict.
Research:
Where does the conflict take place and how long has it been going on?
Who are involved in the conflict? (States, terrorist groups, guerrilla groups ...) Is this an interstate or intrastate conflict? Do any of the world's major powers (China, Russia, the United States) have interests in the area?
Is the conflict hot (armed conflict) or cold? Is there terrorism involved?
What is the conflict about? (Natural resources, borders, religion, minorities, ideology, politics). Remember that there is usually more than one cause.
To what degree are civilians affected by this conflict? How are they affected?
Is there a possible solution to the conflict? Has the UN or other mediators been involved to solve the conflict and hold the peace?
Useful terminology:
Interstate conflict
Civil war / Intrastate conflict
Ethnic conflict
Ethnic group
Conflict of interest
Conflict of values
Militia
Non-state actors
International security policy
Terrorism
Conventional weapons
Weapons of mass destruction
Disarmament / Nuclear disarmament
Casualty of war
Internally displaced people
Refugees
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian crisis
Genocide
Persecution
NATO
UN
UNHCR (UN refugee program)
UN General Assembly
UN Peacekeeping
Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs)
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
Resolution
Diplomacy
Useful sources:
Link to ACLED, Bringing Clarity to Crisis
Link to Council of Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker
Link to World 101, How Is Conflict Changing?
Link to International Crisis Group: 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2022
Link to UNWFP, 6 Current Conflicts in the World Today and Their Effects on Global Hunger