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Understanding today's major global conflicts isn't just about memorizing which countries are fighting—it's about recognizing the underlying drivers that make these conflicts erupt and persist. You're being tested on your ability to identify patterns: territorial disputes, ethnic and religious tensions, proxy wars, resource competition, and the breakdown of governance. These conflicts don't exist in isolation; they reshape global economics, trigger refugee crises, and redraw the boundaries of international power.
When you study these conflicts, focus on the root causes and global ripple effects rather than just the timeline of events. Ask yourself: What type of conflict is this? Who are the external actors and why are they involved? What humanitarian and economic consequences extend beyond the borders? Don't just memorize facts—know what concept each conflict illustrates and how it connects to broader themes of sovereignty, human rights, and international intervention.
These conflicts center on contested borders and competing claims to land, often rooted in historical grievances, colonial legacies, or strategic importance. The fundamental question: Who has the legitimate right to govern a territory?
Compare: Russia-Ukraine War vs. South China Sea Dispute—both involve a major power asserting territorial claims against international norms, but one has erupted into active warfare while the other remains a tense standoff. If an FRQ asks about sovereignty challenges in the modern era, these offer contrasting case studies.
These conflicts emerge from deep-seated divisions over identity, belonging, and historical grievances. They often involve minority populations facing persecution or competing national narratives that prove impossible to reconcile.
Compare: Rohingya Crisis vs. Tigray War—both involve state-sponsored violence against ethnic minorities and severe humanitarian consequences, but the Rohingya crisis centers on a stateless population while Tigray involves a regional government challenging federal authority.
These conflicts feature foreign powers backing opposing sides, transforming local disputes into arenas for broader geopolitical competition. The involvement of external actors often prolongs fighting and complicates peace efforts.
Compare: Syrian Civil War vs. Yemen Civil War—both are proxy conflicts with Iran on one side and U.S.-allied powers on the other, but Syria drew direct Russian military intervention while Yemen has received less international attention despite comparable humanitarian devastation.
These conflicts arise when state authority breaks down or faces armed challenges from within. They often create power vacuums that extremist groups exploit, with consequences that extend far beyond national borders.
Compare: Afghanistan vs. North Korea—both represent failures of U.S. policy objectives (nation-building and denuclearization), but Afghanistan shows the limits of military intervention while North Korea demonstrates the limits of diplomatic and economic pressure.
| Concept | Best Examples |
|---|---|
| Territorial sovereignty disputes | Russia-Ukraine, Kashmir, South China Sea |
| Ethnic/religious identity conflicts | Israeli-Palestinian, Rohingya, Tigray |
| Proxy wars with external powers | Syria, Yemen |
| Governance collapse/insurgency | Afghanistan, North Korea |
| Nuclear proliferation concerns | North Korea, Kashmir (India-Pakistan) |
| Refugee/humanitarian crises | Syria, Yemen, Rohingya, Ukraine |
| Great power competition | South China Sea, Russia-Ukraine |
| Post-colonial border disputes | Kashmir, Israeli-Palestinian |
Which two conflicts best illustrate proxy wars between regional or global powers, and what external actors are involved in each?
Compare and contrast the Russia-Ukraine War and the South China Sea Dispute: What do they share in terms of sovereignty challenges, and how do they differ in their current status?
If an FRQ asked you to analyze a conflict where ethnic identity is the primary driver, which three examples would you choose and why?
How do the Afghanistan conflict and the Syrian Civil War both demonstrate the limits of U.S. foreign policy intervention, despite their different outcomes?
Which conflicts have produced the largest refugee crises, and what distinguishes the Rohingya situation from other displacement crises in terms of the legal status of those affected?