Understanding the Three Most Common Forms of Armed Conflict Today: Non-State, Interstate, and Internationalized Internal Conflicts

What are the three most frequent forms of armed conflict today?

wars between states, wars within states, & terrorism

The three most frequent forms of armed conflict today are:

1. Non-state armed conflicts: These are conflicts between non-state armed groups that challenge the authority of the state, such as insurgency or terrorism. Examples of non-state armed groups include ISIS, Boko Haram, and Al-Shabaab.

2. Interstate armed conflicts: These are conflicts between two or more states. Examples of interstate armed conflicts include the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, and the territorial disputes over the South China Sea between China and several Southeast Asian countries.

3. Internationalized internal armed conflicts: These are internal conflicts that involve external actors, either directly or indirectly. Examples of internationalized internal armed conflicts include the ongoing conflict in Syria, which has drawn in several external actors, including Russia, Iran, and the United States, and the conflict in Yemen, which involves a Saudi-led coalition and Iranian-supported Houthi rebels.

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