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Introduction
The War Count
Ongoing Major Conflicts
Iraq & Afghanistan
The Middle East
Asia & the Pacific
Africa
Europe and the Americas
Conclusion

Main Warring Parties

Year Began

Contributing

Causes*

Other Foreign Involvement

U.S. World-wide War on Terror vs. “terrorists with global reach”

2001

September 11 attacks

UN, multiple countries

Middle East

Iraq Government and Multinational Forces vs. Iraqi resistance and al-Qaeda-in Iraq

2003

Invasion & Occupation

U.S., UK, Australia, Japan, S. Korea, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, Denmark, others

Israel vs. Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, others

1975

Religious & Territory

U.S., UN, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, individuals

Asia

Afghanistan: Kabul govt. vs. al-Qaeda and Taliban

1978

Ethnic, Religious, & Territory

U.S., UN, NATO, Russia, Iran, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan

India vs. Assam (ULFA) insurgents, others

1986

Independence

UN, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh

Philippines vs. New People’s Army (Communist)

1969

Criminal & Terror

U.S., Malaysia, Libya, Indonesia

Sri Lanka vs. Tamil Eelam

1978-02

Ethnic, Religious, & Independence

India

Latin America

Colombia vs. National Liberation Army (ELN)

1978

Drug Trade, Socio/economic & Political

U.S.

Colombia vs. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)

1978

Drug Trade, Socio/economic & Political

U.S.

Europe

Russia vs. Chechnya

1994; 1996

Independence

Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Georgia

Africa

Democratic Republic of Congo vs. indigenous insurgents & foreign renegades

1997

Political & Socio/economic

using Ethnic divisions

Angola, Uganda, Rwanda, Chad, Zimbabwe, France, Burundi, Namibia, South Africa, African Union, UN

Nigeria: ethnic & religious communal violence

1970

Religious, Ethnic & Economic

None

Somalia: TFI vs. UIC; Somaliland, Puntland, other factions

2005 1978

Power & Ethnic

UN (humanitarian aid), U.S., Ethiopia, Kenya

Sudan vs. Sudan Liberation Army (splinter) & Justice and Equality Movement

2003

Autonomy & Ethnic

UN, U.S., EU, NATO

Uganda vs. Lord’s Army

1986

Power

Sudan

Parties to Conflict

Duration

Contributing

Causes*

Foreign Mediation/ Involvement

Middle East

Iran vs. Kurds

1961-

Independence

None

Turkey vs. Kurds (CPCK)

1961-

Independence

None

Israel vs. Palestinian Authority

1948-94; 2000

Independent State

U.S., UN, European Union, Russia, Egypt, Jordan

Israel vs. Syria & Lebanon

2001-

Water, land, & peace

UN, U.S., Turkey

Asia

India vs. Assam rebels (NDFB)

1982-

Independence

UN, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh

India vs. All-Party Hurriyat Conference Kashmiri militants

1989

Ethnic & Religious

UN, Pakistan, U.S.

India vs. Insurgents in Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, & Nagaland

1980-

Ethnic unification in separate states

None

Myanmar (Burma) junta vs. minorities, Indian Assam rebels, & National League for Democracy

1942-

2003

1988

Ethnic & Drug Trade; Borders; Democracy

U.S., UN, Association of South East Asian Nations

Nepal vs. Maoist insurgents

1996

Ideological

None

People’s Republic of China vs. Uighur East Turkestan independence movement

1982

Independence

None

East Timor vs. army rebels

2006

Power

Australia

Philippines vs. Abu Sayyaf

1999

Ideological & Independence

None

Thailand vs. Barisan Revolusi Nasional & Mujahideen Islam Pattani

2003-

Economic & Religious

Malaysia

Africa

Cote d’Ivoire vs. army rebels

2002-

Power

France, UN

Central African Republic vs. insurgents

2005-

Power

France

Chad vs. insurgents

2005-

Power

France

Ethiopia vs. Eritrea

1998-00

Territory

African Union, UN, U.S.

Sudan vs. Sudanese People’s Liberation Army

1983-02

Ethnic & Religious

U.S., Iran, Uganda

Zimbabwe: racial strife

2000-

Political using Ethnic & Racial divides

None

Europe

Republic of Georgia vs. Abkhazia & South Ossetia

1992-93

Independence

UN, OSCE, Russia, U.S.

Americas

Haiti gov’t vs. former army and police factions and Aristide supporters

2004-

Economic and Power

U.S., UN, Organization of American States