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War

Definition

War is an organized and often prolonged conflict that is carried out by states or non-state actors. It is characterized by extreme violence, social disruption, and economic destruction.

Analogy

Think of war as a very intense and destructive game of chess where the pieces are real people and the board is an actual place. The moves made can cause real harm, disrupt lives, and destroy economies.

Related terms

Civil War: This refers to a war between citizens within the same country. Imagine if two groups in your school started fighting each other - that would be like a civil war on a much smaller scale.

Interstate War: This involves conflict between two or more countries. Picture this as two different schools competing fiercely against each other in sports games but with much higher stakes involved.

War Crimes: These are serious violations of international humanitarian law committed during armed conflicts. It's akin to cheating egregiously during a game but with far graver consequences.