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International Conflicts

Conflict ravages countries in countless ways. It tears families, communities, infrastructure, and regions apart, and it’s the number one cause of hunger in the world. Most conflicts today take place in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Often, several countries are involved, directly or indirectly.
Photo: Buildings destroyed by bombs. In the foreground we see two teddy bears and half a globe.
Civilians are always at risk of becoming victims during conflicts. Bilde: Sid10 / CC BY-NC-SA

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:

Map showing the countries in the world that are at war.
The World at War, 2022 Bilde: Statista / CC BY-NC-SA

  • 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


CC BY-SASkrevet av Karin Søvik.
Sist faglig oppdatert 26.04.2022

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