CONFLICT BY SERGIO MESA by sergio mesa

Content:

1. introduction

2. What is a conflict? Example

3. Conflict in family?

4. Conflict in the America?

5. Conflict in Europe?

6. The big most conflict in Africa?

7. Conflict in Asia?

8. Conflict in the world?

9. Picture

What is a conflict?

We define conflict as a disagreement through which the parties involved perceive a threat to their needs, interests or concerns. Within this simple definition there are several important understandings that emerge: Disagreement - Generally, we are aware there is some level of difference in the positions of the two (or more) parties involved in the conflict. But the true disagreement versus the perceived disagreement may be quite different from one another. In fact, conflict tends to be accompanied by significant levels of misunderstanding that exaggerate the perceived disagreement considerably. If we can understand the true areas of disagreement, this will help us solve the right problems and manage the true needs of the parties. Parties involved - There are often disparities in our sense of who is involved in the conflict. Sometimes, people are surprised to learn they are a party to the conflict, while other times we are shocked to learn we are not included in the disagreement. On many occasions, people who are seen as part of the social system (e.g., work team, family, company) are influenced to participate in the dispute, whether they would personally define the situation in that way or not. In the above example, people very readily "take sides" based upon current perceptions of the issues, past issues and relationships, roles within the organization, and other factors. The parties involved can become an elusive concept to define. Perceived threat - People respond to the perceived threat, rather than the true threat, facing them. Thus, while perception doesn't become reality per se, people's behaviors, feelings and ongoing responses become modified by that evolving sense of the threat they confront. If we can work to understand the true 3

threat (issues) and develop strategies (solutions) that manage it (agreement), we are acting constructively to manage the conflict. Needs, interests or concerns - There is a tendency to narrowly define "the problem" as one of substance, task, and near-term viability. However, workplace conflicts tend to be far more complex than that, for they involve ongoing relationships with complex, emotional components. Simply stated, there are always procedural needs and psychological needs to be addressed within the conflict, in addition to the substantive needs that are generally presented. And the durability of the interests and concerns of the parties transcends the immediate presenting situation. Any efforts to resolve conflicts effectively must take these points into account.

Example: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the opposite of an aggressive person, so I don't get it to conflicts but I still need to write an essay on a perception check that be done to resolve arguments. Just little stories from fights with your friends and how you worked them out would are the most appreciated

Conflict in family?

Nothing in life stays the same. Everything is always changing. You may have been in the happiest family ever but then something changes. A new baby Someone in the family loses his job. Someone leaves the house. Parents separate. A young person becomes an adult. You move somewhere else away from friends. Mum or dad have to be away a lot for work. Another family member moves into the house. Someone in the family dies.

And suddenly people are getting upset and angry and the family isn't happy any more. What needs to happen? The only way things are going to improve is if people sit down, talk together and try to work things out. For this to work there needs to be; Honest talking. Active listening, without interruptions. Calm quiet voices, not angry shouting ones. Everyone wanting to sort things out. Everyone saying how they feel without blaming anyone or saying that someone 'makes' them feel like this. No one can 'make' someone feel anything. We are all in charge

our

own

feelings.

Everyone getting a chance to say what should happen in future. Everyone being willing to sort things out rather than winning the argument. Everyone respecting each other's right to an opinion.

What needs to be done? Arrange a time to talk with everyone involved. Talk clearly and quietly. Each one says what he or she feels is the problem. Talk about or list solutions to the problem. Work

through

suggestions

find

something that all can agree with. Agree to try and talk again if things aren't working out.

Be prepared to compromise (let others get some of what they want so that you can get some

what

you

want).

Keep yourself safe If your family is fighting and it is uncomfortable or upsetting, or even frightening to be at home sometimes, then you need to make sure that you keep yourself safe. 

Talk to your trusted adults and tell them how you feel.



Ask if you can stay with a friend or relative sometimes.



Our topic Keeping yourself safe from child abuse has some ideas which may help you.



If there is violence in the home then you need to get away from it and get help. Getting help Talk

your

trusted

adults. 8

Get out of the way if there is

violence

happening.

You could go to a friend or

neighbour,

ring

someone else in your family or even call the Police

someone

being hurt. Wherever

you

live

in Australia, you can talk to people who can help you by calling the Kid's Helpline 1800 551 800 (It doesn't cost any money). If you live in South Australia and you are 12 years

plus,

you

can

ring

the Youth

Healthline 1300 13 17 19 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) for the cost of a local call.

What kids say ď&#x201A;ˇ

"My brother is always fighting with my mum. Sometimes he hits her. I try to stop him but he hits me too." 9



"My sister causes a lot of trouble in my house - she doesn't want to do her jobs and she's mean to everyone."



"I don't like my mum's boyfriend. He just wants to be with mum all the time and I never get to talk to her."



"My dad lost his job and now he is at home all the time - he won't do anything in the house and mum gets mad when she comes home from work and everywhere is messy."



"Sometimes I feel like the odd one out."



"My parents split up when I was really little. I had a great time with my dad but now I don't see him much. Horrible things were said and I didn't understand what was going on. I felt like running away."



"Maybe your friends have the same problems as you. Lots of families have problems. It's worth trying to sort them out. Talk to someone if you are worried about

what

might

happen

you."

Family

conflict

isn't

nice

When people yell, swear

and

fight.

It can get violent. Scary

and

frightening Just As But A

terrible thunder after

the

calm

day

Where And

and

lightning. storm comes

people sort

talk

things

out.

A rainbow blooms.

Dr Kate says It is sad when families are in conflict. It is hard on adults and kids too. Home should be a place where everyone can feel safe and cared for. Everyone has a right to feel safe at all times, especially at home. Everyone gets upset or angry at times but the only way to work things out is to talk through the problems.

We've provided this information to help you to understand important things about staying healthy and happy. However, if you feel sick or unhappy, it is important to tell your mum or dad, a teacher or another grown-up.

Conflict in America?

It may surprise anyone following the charges of racism that have flared up during the debate over President Obama's health care proposals, but a survey taken this summer found that fewer people perceived there are strong conflicts between blacks and whites than saw strong conflicts between immigrants and the native born, or between rich people and poor people.

A majority (55%) of adults said there are "very strong" or "strong" conflicts between immigrants and people born in the United States. Nearly as many -- 47% -- said the same about conflicts between rich people and poor people, according to a nationally representative survey by the Pew Research Center Social & Demographic Trends project. The survey found that about four-in-ten (39%) believe there are serious conflicts between blacks and whites, and only a quarter (26%) see major generational divisions between the young and old. The findings come at a time when discussions about the role of racism in American society has featured heavily in media coverage of Obama's presidency 13

-- triggered first by the arrest in July of a prominent African-American Harvard professor in his own home, and more recently by the assertion by former President Jimmy Carter that much of the opposition to Obama's policies is racially motivated. The Pew Research survey was conducted from July 20 to Aug. 2, shortly after the Harvard incident but before President Carter's recent comments.

Different Groups See Different Levels of Conflict

The

survey

found

some

notable

demographic patterns in the public's perceptions of social conflicts. For example, blacks, Hispanics and women are significantly more likely than whites and men to say major conflicts exist between groups in at least three of the four areas tested in the survey. Blacks, in particular, consistently see more social conflict than do other demographic groups. But not even blacks believe that racial conflict is the 15

most prevalent kind of conflict in the country today. A bare majority of blacks (53%) say there are "very strong/strong" conflicts between blacks and whites. At the same time, nearly two-thirds of blacks (65%) say there are significant conflicts between the rich and poor, and 61% say there are significant conflicts between immigrants and the native born. Blacks also are twice as likely as whites to see major generational conflicts (42% vs. 21%). The pattern is mixed among other groups. Older adults are significantly less likely than younger people to see strong conflicts between immigrants and native born and between the rich and the poor, but just as likely to see serious generational differences and racial disputes. Similarly, half of all Democrats (46%) but a only third of Republicans (33%) say there are serious conflicts between blacks and whites. The partisan perceptions gap is even bigger on perceptions of conflicts between the rich and poor: a 55% majority of Democrats see very serious or serious conflicts between haves- and have-nots, compared with 38% of Republicans. At the same time, there is no significant difference by party affiliation in perceptions about conflicts between immigrants and native born or between the generations. Social Conflict in American Life To measure perceptions of social conflict, a total of 1,815 persons age 16 and older were interviewed July 20-Aug. 2, 2009. Respondents were asked in separate questions "In all countries, there are differences or conflicts between different social groups. In your opinion, in America, how much conflict is there between..." blacks and whites, the poor and the rich, young people and older people, and immigrants and people born in the United States. Respondents were then given these answer options: "very strong conflicts, strong conflicts, not very strong conflicts, there are not conflicts" for each domain. Disagreements between immigrants and native-born Americans emerge as the most prevalent and serious type of social conflict among those tested in the 16

survey. A clear majority (55%) of adults say there are "very strong" or "strong" conflicts between these groups, including 18% who say there are "very strong" conflicts and 37% who describe them as "strong." Hispanics in particular see serious clashes between these groups: nearly sevenin-ten (68%) say there are major conflicts between immigrants and the native born, a view shared by half of whites (53%) and six-in-ten blacks (61%). At the same time, those born outside the United States are no more likely than the native born to say there are serious conflicts between immigrants and people born in the U.S. (56% for native born vs. 53% for foreign born). Nearly half of respondents (47%) say there are serious conflicts between the rich and poor -- a double-digit decline in perceptions of economic-class-based conflict from 1987 when the General Social Survey found that 59% saw "very strong" or "strong" conflicts between the two groups. In the Pew Research survey, adults older than age 65 are significantly less likely than people under the age of 50 to see serious divisions by economic class (36% vs. 51%). Blacks, Hispanics, Democrats and women also are more likely that other groups to perceive major disputes between economic classes. Perhaps surprisingly, income seems to have little relationship with perceptions of richpoor conflicts. Slightly less than half (46%) of those with annual family incomes of $100,000 or more say there are serious conflicts between the rich and poor -and so does a virtually identical share (47%) of those earning less than $30,000. About four-in-ten Americans see major conflicts between blacks and whites, including 53% of blacks and 47% of Hispanics, but a significantly smaller share of whites (35%). Only 26% see major conflicts between young people and older adults -- a view shared by virtually identical proportions of older (26%) and younger adults (28%). As with the rich-poor divide, the proportion of Americans who see a great deal of generational conflict has declined substantially: In the 1992 GSS survey, fully 42% saw major divisions between the old and young. 17

Conflict in Europe?

"The truly remarkable failings of the Western economic model now on display" may "give a renewed boost to Islamic radicalisation," writes Michael Emerson, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), in a February publication. "Tensions and violence involving people from minority groups of Muslim culture are perhaps the greatest source of societal tensions and violent conflict in contemporary Europe," Emerson asserts, introducing studies based on Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Russia and the United Kingdom and prepared by fourteen authors. Societal tensions typically stem from two main sources, the studies find: ď&#x201A;ˇ

Social and economic disadvantage and discrimination affecting Muslim groups, and;

ď&#x201A;ˇ

Terrorist violence inspired by radical ideas. Communities in all six countries have been affected to some extent by the growing influence of radical Islam in recent decades, intensified by the aftershocks of the 9/11 terror attacks in the US, recalls Emerson. Indeed, five of the six countries studied have experienced their own iconic events, the analyst explains, all of which had massive media and political impacts. Terrorist acts took place in three of them (11 March 2004 in Madrid, 7 July 2005 in London and 1 September 2004 in Russia). In the Netherlands, there were the successive assassinations of Pim Fortuyn on 6 May 2002 and Theo Van Gogh on 2 November 2004, while France saw suburban riots in late 2005, the paper recalls. "While the acts of terror are highly individualised, societal tensions between the Muslim communities and the majority populations are highly diffuse," write Emerson. The "ethnic aspect" was "conspicuous" in recent collective violence in northern English cities and Parisian suburbs, he recalls. The paper distinguishes between three broad categories of tension and violence: 18

ď&#x201A;ˇ

Politico-religious radicalisation, where inspiration is grounded in Islamic texts or interpretations that can range from the scholarly to "simplistic fantasies";

ď&#x201A;ˇ

Religious but non-political movements: These are fundamentalist in theology and doctrine, but abstain from politics or societal integration, and;

ď&#x201A;ˇ

Radicalisation of attitudes and behaviour, leading to collective violence. Such unrest largely concerns spontaneous movements, and grievances may include housing, employment prospects or perceptions of discrimination. "The decade of the 2000s was undisputedly the decade of global terrorism," concludes Emerson, sounding a pessimistic note for the future.

The big most conflict in Africa?

There have been over 9 million refugees and internally displaced people from conflicts in Africa. Hundreds and thousands of people have been slaughtered from a number of conflicts and civil wars. If this scale of destruction and fighting was in Europe, then people would be calling it World War III with the entire world rushing to report, provide aid, mediate and otherwise try to diffuse the situation. This article explores why Africa has been largely ignored and what some of the root causes of the problems are.

Into mid-2011, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worst food crisis is being felt in East Africa, in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. Despite successive failed rains, the crisis has been criticized as avoidable and man-made. This is because the situation had been predicted many months before by an international early warning system. Both the international community and governments in the region have been accused of doing very little in the lead up to this crisis. In addition, high food prices have forced food out of the reach of many people, while local conflicts exacerbate the situation. As the international organization Oxfam describes: 12 million people are in dire need of food, clean water, and basic sanitation. Loss of life on a massive scale is 20

a very real risk, and the crisis is set to worsen over the coming months, particularly for pastoralist communities.

A wave of protests has erupted throughout the Middle East and North Africa. A combination of the global financial crisis, rising costs of living, high unemployment â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially of educated youth, frustration from decades of living under authoritarian and corrupt regimes, various document leaks revealing more details about how governments around the world are dealing and viewing each other, have all combined in different ways in various countries, leading to a wave of rising anger. Some protests have become revolutions as governments such as those in Tunisia and Egypt have been overthrown. Others have not got that far but have sometimes been peaceful, other times met with very brutal repression. Is this a wave of democracy that cannot be stopped, and will forever change the region, and the global power politics?

The crisis in Libya comes in the context of wider unrest throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The surge of what looks like spontaneous and ground up pro-democracy protests has been spreading throughout a region long controlled by authoritarian regimes from left and right of the political spectrum, and both pro and anti-West. Peaceful protests against the long-running oppressive Qadhafi regime in February resulted in a violent crackdown. As the situation quickly escalated ordinary citizens took up arms to help free themselves from Qadhafi’s brutal regime. Despite some military defections, the opposition has generally been a disorganized and out-gunned rebel force. As Qadhafi’s forces increasingly targeted civilians the opposition appealed to the international community for a no-fly zone to limit or prevent the bloodbath that Qadhafi threatened. The West appears to have responded with what looks like a genuine humanitarian intervention attempt. Yet, when looked at a bit more deeply, there are many murky — often contradictory — issues coming to the fore that complicate the picture. 22

These mixed messages make the future for Libya uncertain. Civil war is how some commentators have already started to describe the conflict, which would imply a long drawn out conflict, not a quick fix that the West hoped for.

Following elections in Cote d’Ivoire in October 2010, both President Laurent Gbagbo and opposition candidate, Alassane Ouattara, claimed victory. International observers agreed that the Ouattara had won, but Gbagbo refused to accept this. Negotiations failed and while the world’s attention was elsewhere, the situation became volatile and violent outbursts turned into the country’s second civil war. Forces supporting Ouattara have swept through the country and Gbagbo’s position looks precarious while he remains defiant. At the same time, possibly a million people are thought to have fled their homes, about 100,000 of which have crossed over into neighboring Liberia. Thousands of civilians have been killed in what observers have found to be mass human rights violations. There have also been reports of massacres and mass graves. UN personnel on the ground have been targeted. There are accusations of violence by both sides.

This situation had been brewing for a long time, and yet, the international community has been comparatively silent compared to how they have reacted to the situation in Libya. The conflict in the DRC (formerly known as Zaire) has involved seven nations. There have been a number of complex reasons, including conflicts over basic resources such as water, access and control over rich minerals and other resources and various political agendas. This has been fueled and supported by various national and international corporations and other regimes which have an interest in the outcome of the conflict. The Niger Delta in Nigeria has been the attention of environmentalists, human rights activists and fair trade advocates around the world. The trial and hanging of environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other members of the Ogoni ethnic minority made world-wide attention. So too did the non-violent protests of the Ogoni people. The activities of large oil corporations such as Mobil, Chevron, Shell, Elf, Agip etc have raised many concerns and criticisms. Sierra Leone has seen serious and grotesque human rights violations since 1991 when the civil war erupted. According to Human Rights Watch, over 50,000 people have been killed to date, with over one million people having been displaced. There have been numerous factors contributing to problems such as the the diamond connection, the gross abuses committed by both rebel and government forces, and the problems of the current peace treaty. 30 years of war and conflict as Eritrea attempted to gain independence, finally resulted in an April 1993 internationally monitored referendum, where 98.5% of the registered voters voted. 99.8% of the votes were for independence, although the borders were not defined clearly. While the two nations seemed to get on fairly well, relations deteriorated into war a couple of years after Eritrea

introduced its own currency in 1997. War again resulted over what seemed to be a minor border dispute in May 1998. It seems that the cause of the Rwanda genocide has typically been explained in simplified terms, such as ancient tribal hatreds, omitting many of the deeper and also modern causes, such as international economic policies, power politics and corruption of the elite, etc. which are also common contributing causes of problems elsewhere in the world today. This article explores the deeper causes of genocide in Rwanda.

AIDS in Africa is said to be killing more people than conflicts. It causes social disruption as children become orphaned and it affects many already-struggling economies as workforces are reduced. As an enormous continent, various regions are seeing different results as they attempt to tackle the problem. Numerous local, regional and global initiatives are slowly helping, despite significant obstacles (such as poverty, local social and cultural norms/taboos, concerns from drug companies about providing affordable medicines, and limited health resources of many countries that are now also caught up in the global financial crisis). The international media, NATO leaders and others were very vocal about the plight of the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and insisted on a new humanitarian based model of military intervention. Because the western mainstream media had so much rhetoric about this new humanitarian nature of NATO, it is worth making some comparisons here to see if and how that has been applied to Africa.

Conflict in Asia? The Problems of Contemporary Asia: History, Conflicts, Geopolitics Author: Edited by V. Kolotov Publisher: St.Petersburg State University Publishing House Year: 2009 City: St.Petersburg

Summary Chapter I. Some actual problems of Central Asia's Modern History (A. Alexeev) Chapter II. India in the Early 21st Century: Main Challenges and Key Factors of Success (I. Zeleneva) Chapter III. Military component in a modern life of The Middle and the Far East countries (E. Osmanov, G. Isaev) Chapter IV. Ethno-religious communities in Vietnam in the context of regional security system: past and present (V. Kolotov) Chapter V. Nuclear problem of the D.P.R.K. and principal trends of inter-Korean relations in the first half of 2000s (S. Kurbanov) Chapter VI.Strategic Triangle Russia - China - India: through Compromises to Cooperation.(N. Samoylov)

Conflict in world? Algerian Civil War—(1992-Present): After the Islamic Salvation Front won national elections in 1992, the military annulled the elections and the winning party's military wing, The Islamic Salvation Army (AIS), began a bloody rebellion. The AIS surrendered in June 1999, but other groups continue to fight the governme Basque Separatist Conflict—(1958-Present): The rebel group called Basque Fatherland and Liberty guerrilla group (ETA) has waged an urban guerrilla movement against the Spanish government. The organization's goal is independence for the Basque region of northern Spain and southwestern France. Some operations have taken place in France, causing Paris and Madrid to cooperate. Approximately 800 deaths are attributed to the ETA's campaign. Burma (Myanmar) Civil War—(1948-Present): In Earth's longest running and perhaps most complex conflict, several different ethnic groups attempted to secede in the years following World War 2. Most of these groups continue the struggle to this day, along with political dissidents who took up arms after a 1988 coup. Some areas of northern Burma have been controlled by Narcoguerrillas harvesting opium, which the government has attempted to halt. Military operations near border areas have brought both rebels and the Burmese government into occasional conflict with neighboring Thailand. Burundi Civil War—(1994-Present): The Tutsi-dominated government is fighting Hutu rebels. The rebels use neighboring Congo as a base to launch attacks, thereby giving the Burundi government reason to involve itself in the Second Congolese War. Colombian Civil War—(1964-Present): Marxist Guerrillas began a Cubaninspired insurgency in the 1960s, which continued at a fairly low level until the 27

1990s, when the strength of the guerrilla groups increased due to their de facto alliance with narcotics-producing crime cartels. Over the past year (since 2001), the violence of the conflict has increased as the government realized that negotiations with the guerrillas were not leading to a peaceful solution. The United States is providing military and logistical support to the government. Congo: Second Congolese War (This IS a regional war)—(1998-Present): Peace

talks

may

soon

end what

has

been

called

“Africa’s

World

War.” Congolese rebels, backed by Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, seek the overthrow of President Kabila (the father was assassinated and his son then became president), who is supported by rebels from the above three countries,

addition

the

armies

Angola,

Zimbabwe

and

Namibia. Estimates put the number of dead in this war at over one million, mostly civilians. Also known as the “Great Lakes War.” Chechnya (Russia): Second Chechen War-Gaza War (2008-2009)--Renewal of the Israeli-Hamas Conflict as Israel responded to Hamas rocket attacks with air and ground attacks beginning on December 27, 2008 No-Fly Zone War (Iraq-Coalition Conflict ( 1992-2003)

Israeli Airstrikes on Syrian Forces in Lebanon—Part of ongoing conflict between Israel and Syria in Lebanon. (high-risk to become a regional war)— July 1, 2001: Israeli warplanes struck a Syrian Army radar post and antiaircraft site in Lebanon in retaliation for a Hezbollah attack on the IsraelLebanon border in an area called the Cheba Farms. Israel believes Syria

controls the Hezbollah and struck the Syrians in order to "send a message." April 15, 2001: Israel dropped six bombs on a Syrian Army radar post in Lebanon in retaliation for a Hezbollah attack on the Israel-Lebanon border. Israel believes Syria controls the Hezbollah. Three Syrian troops died in the attack.

Israeli –Syrian Border Clashes—Part of ongoing conflict between Israel and Syria in Lebanon. (high-risk to become a regional war)— January 10, 2003: Israeli troops shot and killed one Syrian soldier and captured another in an apparent attempt by the Syrian soldiers to infiltrate

across

the

border

into

the

Israeli-occupied

Golan

Heights. Approximately one hour after the initial shooting, a Syrian outpost opened fire on Israeli forces. Israel chose not to respond for fear of escalating the violence. Isael later turned over the body of the dead soldier and the prisoner to the United Nations for transfer back to Syria. July, 1991: Three Syrians, members of a military intellegence unit, infiltrated into Israeli-Occupied territory near Mount Hermon. They fired an anitank weapon at an Israeli military outpost, killing one Israeli soldier.

Israeli-Palestinian

Conflict- See

Al-Aqsa

become a regional war)—

Intifada

(above)-- (high-risk

Gaza Strip Conflict/Gaza War Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivorie) Civil War—(Sept. 19, 2002-2007): Rebel soldiers (who later called themselves the Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast (MPCI) launched a coordinated, nation-wide attack on forces loyal to PresidentLaurent Gbagbo. Loyalist forces held onto the capital city of Abidjan, but lost control of the northern cities of Bouake and Korhogo. Initial reports had former military dictator General Robert Guei as the leader of the coup. It was also reported that he perished in the fighting. Ivory Coast has seen ethnic and religious violence since 2000 between northern Muslims (such as Guei) and southern Christians (such as President Gbagbo). The government also claims that rebel reinforcement entered the country from a bordering nation, most likely Burkina Faso to the north. Tensions have increased between the two West African nations partly as a result of the status of millions of migrant Burkina Faso citizens living in Ivory Coast seeking jobs. A cease-fire began on Oct. 17, which held until the last week of November, as government forces launched a new offensive with recently acquired helicopters and what appeared to be a unit of English-speaking mercenaries. Also, a new rebel group appeared, seizing several towns along the western border with Liberia. This group, calling itself the Ivorian Popular Movement for the Greater West, clashed with French peacekeeping forces that were attempting to evacuate Europeans from the area. This Yacouba-based tribal group, which appears to include some Liberians, may be connected to one of the factions involved in the Liberian Civil War. A second western rebel group, called the Movement for Justice and Peace, appears loyal to the late General Guei.

Kashmir Conflict (high-risk to become a regional war)—(1991-Present): Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, and a Kashmiri rebel 30

movement is aided by Pakistan. Intermittent clashes along the border nearly turned into full-scale war in the summer of 1999 and in late 2001. o

Intense Clashes Along the LOC-- (Dec. 23, 2001-Continuing):

Following the terrorist attack on India's Parliament, tensions between India and Pakistan increased, with machine gun, mortar and artillery fire across their border (Line of Control) in disputed Kashmir. o

Terrorist/Rebel Attack on the Indian Parliament in New

Delhi—( Dec. 13, 2001): Kashmiri Terrorists attacked the Indian Parliament, attempting to blow it up during a legislative session. Security guard killed the militants before they could enter the Parliament building. 5 terrorists and 7 Indian security officers and 2 Indian bystanders were killed in the attack. This attack triggered a violent confrontation along the Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir between the armies of India and Pakistan. India blamed Pakistan for aiding the rebels

Liberian Civil War-Nepal Civil War—(Feb. 13, 1996- Present): Maoist Guerrillas seek to overthrow the Nepal monarchy though a rural uprising. This conflict has grown in intensity in recent months. Chinese aid to the rebels is alleged. North Lebanon Conflict (2007)--Fighting between the Lebanese government and a Jihadist Palestinian militia calling itself Fatah al-Islam.

Northern Ireland Conflict—(1969-Present): This is the latest in a very long series of conflicts fought by Britain in Ireland. Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, with a Protestant majority loyal to London. The Irish 31

Catholic minority has sought to break away and join the Irish Republic in the southern part of the island. The IRA and other groups have conducted a largely urban guerrilla campaign since 1969. Protestant para-military groups also wage an underground war against the Catholic population. Peace talks have been under way for some time. Over 2,500 deaths have occurred since1969. Philippines Conflicts— Muslim Rebellion in the Southern Philippines--(1969-Present): Muslim rebel groups seek autonomy/independence from the mostly Christian Philippines. One rebel group, the Abu Sayaf Group, is believed linked to Osama bin-Laden’s AlQaida. This connection, plus their tactic of kidnapping and beheading Americans, led the United States to send Special Forces to aid the Philippine Army. New People’s Army Rebellion--(1969-Present): The Communist New People’s Army (along with the rival Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB); is attempting to overthrow the Philippine government and install a Marxist regime. Rwandan Civil War—(1994-Present): The current Rwandan government is dominated by the Tutsi tribe, which overthrew the old government dominated by the Hutu tribe. Before losing power, the Hutu rulers and their militia massacred over half a million people. The Hutus now conduct a guerrilla war against the Tutsi government from bases in the Congo. Rwanda used the presence of these Hutu guerrillas to take part in both of the recent Congolese Wars. Sri Lankan Civil War—(1983-Present): Sri Lanka's civil war is due to problems between the Tamil minority and the Sinhalese majority. In the 1980's, India intervened on the government's

side,

but

has since

withdrawn

its

troops. Over 70,000 deaths have resulted from this war. Peace talks have been under way for some time. Sudanese Civil War—(1983-Present): This is a war based largely on racial, religious and regional differences. The government is dominated by Muslim Arabs, while the south of the country is largely black Christian. War on Terrorism—Officially beginning Oct. 7, 2001, this American-led crusade against al-Qaida thus far involves: the campaign against al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan, the search by U.S. and Pakistani forces for alQaida followers in Pakistan, the deployment of U.S. special forces to aid government forces in the Philippines battle the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas on the southern Philippine island of Bamiyan, the deployment of U.S. special forces to Yemen to train and aid government forces dealing with rural tribes possibly allied with al-Qaida and the deployment of U.S. special forces to the republic of Georgia to train and aid government forces against rebels. Other military, para-military and covert missions are probably ongoing, but not yet public. Ugandan Civil War--

Current “Minor” wars and conflicts in the world— Wars and conflicts, which are relatively small impact on the world or the region in which they occur. Placement on this list is somewhat subjective. For nations and individual people caught up in these conflicts, these wars are far from “minor,” but from the perspective of the world as a whole, they are possess a lower “profile” than the wars in the “major” category. This category also contains “one-time” occurrences such as the Korean border battles, which are part of a long-standing hostility. Generally speaking, these conflicts involve few than 1,000 deaths, involve only one nation

(for internal conflicts) or only two nations (for international conflicts) and/or do not possess the likelihood of developing into multi-national regional conflicts. Alphabetical listing. Bougainville War of Independence—(1989-Present): The island of Bougainville seeks independence from Papua New Guinea. Cabinda (Angola) Separatist War—(1984-Present): The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) seeks to separate the oil-rich enclave of Cabinda from Angola. On September 19, 2002, the Angolan army began a major military offensive against the Cabinda rebels. Chad-Central African Republic Border Conflict—(Aug. 7, 2002): The armies of Chad and the CAR clashed in an exchange that left approximately two dozen dead. Each side blamed the other for initiating the attack. Tensions have been high since an attempted coup in the CAR last November. Chittagong Hill Tracts War in Bangladesh- (1975?-Present): Peace settlements have ended some fighting, but at least one rebel group remains active. Hmong Insurgency in Laos—(1975-Present): The Hmong ethnic group have fought the Communist government since it took power following the end of the Vietnam (2nd Indochina) War in 1975. Vietnam provides military aid and troops to the Laotian government periodically. India: Minor Wars—A series of conflicts mostly involving ethnic groups seeking independence or autonomy from the central government. One conflict, the Naxalite War, is political rather than ethnic. These are in addition to the Kashmir Rebellion, which rates as a major conflict. Hindu-Muslim Sectarian Violence—(1947-Present): Since independence from Britain in 1947, Hindus and Muslims in India have engaged in periodic outbursts

of violence against each other. The latest mob violence in early 2002 in the state of Gujarat claimed 800 to 1,000 lives. Naga Rebellion—(1952-Present): The Naga ethnic group sought independence from India. A cease-fire took effect in 1997, though some Naga groups continue to oppose the government. Mizo Rebellion—(Feb. 28, 1966-Present): The Mizo National Front (MNF) seeks independence from India for the Mizoram region. Naxalite Guerrilla War—(May 25, 1967-Present): Beginning with a peasant uprising in the town of Naxalbari, this Marxist/Maoist rebellion sputters on in the Indian countryside. The guerrillas operate among the impoverished peasants and fight both the government security forces and the private paramilitary groups funded by wealthy landowners. Most fighting takes place in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Mahrashtra, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. Tripura Rebellion—(1979-Present): Tripura, in Northeast India, is embroiled in a separatist rebellion as several rebel groups fight for independence. Assam Rebellion—(1980-Present): The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) formed in April 1979 in response to an influx of non-Assamese from Bangladesh and parts of North East India. This movement seeks to evict those "foreigners" and seek greater autonomy from the Indian government. Bodo Rebellion—(Mid-1980s-Present): The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) is fighting for a separate state within India. They feel that their ethnic group is persecuted by the Assamese and Bengali groups which dominate the region. 35

Indonesia: Minor Wars—A series of rebellions against the government, along with sectarian and ethnic violence between Indonesia’s many ethnic and religious groups continues to threaten the unity and perhaps the continued survival of Indonesia. These do not include the recently resolved conflict in East Timor, which resulted in that island’s independence. West Papua Rebellion—(1965-Present): Aceh Rebellion—(mid-1980s-Present): Ambon Ethnic Violence—(1999-Present) Sulawesi Sectarian Violence—(1998-Present): Violence between Muslims and Christians on the island of Sulawesi. Violence escalated in mid-2001, when thousands of members of a fundamentalist Muslim militia called Laskar Jihad arrived from the island of Java. Iranian Mujahadeen Khalq Guerrilla War—(1979-Present): After the Iranian Revolution in 1979 toppled the government of the Shah, the Mujahadeen Khalq soon began a bloody guerrilla war against the new Islamic government. The Mujahadeen are currently based in Iraq and conduct cross-border raids into Iran, as well as conducting urban guerrilla operations in the cities and conducting political assassinations. Iran occasionally launches raids against Khalq bases in Iraq. Japanese Coast Guard Sinking of Suspected Spy Ship—(Dec. 21 and 22, 2001): The Japanese Coast Guard chased a suspected spy ship and sank it. Crewmembers of the spy ship fired on the Japanese ships, wounding two Coast Guard sailors. The spy ship crew all perished when their vessel sank. Japan suspects the ship was North Korean.

Korean Border Battle at Sea—(June 28, 2002): North and South Korean naval vessels fought a twenty-minute gun battle in which 4 South Korean sailors died and 18 wounded near Yeonpyeong island in the Yellow Sea. A South Korean vessel was sunk and a North Korean vessel sustained damage, with casualties. This is one of several Korean border fights in recent years. News link—BBC Korean Border Battle—(Nov. 27, 2001): The first cross-border shooting of 2001 between North and South Korea. North Korean troops fired several shots at a South Korean guard post. The South Koreans returned fire. Kurdish

Rebellion

Iraq—(1991-Present):

Following

Iraq's

defeat

theSecond Persian Gulf War (1990-1991), Iraq's Kurds rebelled, seeking independence. This is the latest in a long series of Kurdish uprisings. The Kurds currently enjoy autonomy in north Iraq under the protection of the United States and the United Kingdom. Kurdish Rebellion in Turkey—(1984-Present): Rebel groups of the Kurdish ethnic group seek independence from Turkey.

Namibia: Caprivi Uprising—(Aug. 2, 1999-Present): The Caprivi Liberation Army, led by Namibian politician Mishake Muyongo, claims that the government is neglecting their region. Guerrillas attacked Namibian military and police on August 2 in the Caprivi area.

Niger Army Mutiny—( July 31-Aug. 9, 2002): Forces loyal to the government of Niger put down an army mutiny that had spread to several army garrisons across the country. The uprising is believed related to low pay for army soldiers. News link--BBC

Nigerian Minor Conflicts—(1991-Present): Various ethnic and religious groups in Nigeria engage in sporadic communal violence. More detail to be added soon.

Oromo Rebellion in Ethiopia—(1973-Present): Long-running rebellion by the Oromo Liberation Front. The OLF is currently allied to Eritrea, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and with the Aideed clan in Somalia--all of which are fighting the Ethiopian regime. See Ethiopian-Oromo Conflicts

Russian Bombing of Pankisi Gorge in Georgia—(September, 2002): Russian warplanes bombed the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia, which borders on Chechnya. Russia claimed that Chechen rebels used the Gorge as a staging area for attacks on Russian forces in Chechnya. Georgia protested the attacks. Shiite Muslim Rebellion in Iraq--—(1991-Present): Following Iraq's defeat in the Second Persian Gulf War (1990-1991), Iraq's Shiites, a religious minority, rebelled against the government. Low-level guerrilla warfare continues in the southern marshes. Somali Civil War (state of anarchy)—(1991-Present): The Somali government ceased to exist following the 1991 overthrow of dictator Siade Barre. Rival Somali groups fight for advantage but the net result is anarchy. In 1992 and 1993, United Nations forces, led by the United States, attempted to bring order to the country and head off a famine. After incurring casualties, the U.S. and the U.N. withdrew. Tuareg Rebellion in Niger—

Yemen Tribal Conflict—(Dec. 19, 2001): Yemeni armed forces moved against several villages of the Abida tribe suspected of harboring al-Qaida fugitives. 24 soldiers and 16 members of the Adiba tribe perished. American Special Forces were in Yemen to train the government military so that operations such as this one against suspected terrorists could be undertaken. No Americans are known to have taken part in this operation. (part of America’s world wide War on Terrorism)--

Recently concluded or suspended wars and conflicts in the world—Wars and conflicts which, as of this page’s latest update, are concluded due to a cease-fire, peace treaty or some other apparently permanent cessation of hostilities. Many of these conflicts can easily re-erupt into violence. Generally, conflicts remain in this