Understanding Global Conflicts: Causes and Examples
A World in Conflict
All over the world, between states, the road to peace is fraught with complications, making it difficult to achieve. States exist in a permanent condition of international tension, engaging not only in trade relations but also displays of force.
Causes of Conflict
Geographical analysis reveals numerous causes of conflict, often related to disputes over territory. These causes include:
- Landlocked status
- Conflicts over geographical features
- Conflicts with neighboring countries due to shared river systems
- International boundaries with shared rivers
- Relationships with river flow entering the territory of another state
- Disputes raised by monetary groups
- Conflicts involving ethnic groups located between countries and states
- Local conflicts arising when herders cross borders in search of seasonal pastures
- Conflicts when a resource of international importance is located in a state
Geographer’s Perspective for the New Millennium
Geographers propose a classification based on geographical and political causes of violence:
- Civil wars and struggles
- Separatist movements
- Natural disasters
- Actions of terrorist groups
- Acts of xenophobia
- Acts of religious fanaticism
- Narco-trafficking
Conflicts of the Third Millennium
- United States: Descendants of English settlers clash with Black Americans, Chicanos (Mexican Americans), Latinos, Jews, and Irish.
- Mexico: Indigenous and Creole struggles dating back to the 19th century.
- Chaco and Amazon Matagi: Global intention for control of tropical and subtropical forests.
- Ice Sheets: Argentina and Chile dispute the largest reservoir of freshwater in the world.
- South Atlantic: Argentina, Britain, Spain, Korea, and Japan battle for control of fishing and offshore oil.
- North Atlantic: Canada and Spain continue tension over control of fishing.
- Paraná River: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay are fighting for control of its water and energy.
- England: Faces movements seeking independence in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
- Europe: The European Union restricts immigration from North Africa, Western Europe, Latin America, and Asia, leading to social and racial conflicts in Germany, France, and England.
- Basque Country: Spanish and French struggle to exercise power in the area.
- Balkans: (Serbs, Catholics, Orthodox) continue to clash with Croatia (Catholic).
- Algeria: Shiite Muslims attack Sunnite Muslims and Catholics.
- Libyan Desert: Regional factions struggle for independence.
- Central African Republic: Similar regional struggles for independence.
- Angola: Nationalists destabilize the region.
- South Africa: Zulu groups clash with other tribes, Black and White.
- Jordan: Middle East tensions sharpen over scarce water resources.
- Iraq-Iran: Maintains nationalist struggle for independence.
- Kazakhstan: Demonstrated its nuclear capabilities.
- Ganges River: Regional struggle for control of the basin, navigation, and water use.
- Korea: Neoliberal North and neo-communist South dispute political and economic direction.
- Japan: China may seek space for its large population in Japan.