Through the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the year 2020 saw a surprising rush of exciting news about peace in the Middle East. bin Laden's War (1998-Present) - Terrorist conflict between the United States and irregular forces led by Osama bin Laden. Understanding the issues regarding the initiative for the Middle East Peace Process in 3 minutes; Syria; Ukraine; The Iranian nuclear issue; North Korea: France's position; Strait of Hormuz - Reply by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to a written question in the Senate (12 Dec. 2019) After a year that saw an assault on the U.S. Capitol, horrific bloodshed in Ethiopia, a Taliban triumph in Afghanistan, great-power showdowns over Ukraine and Taiwan amid dwindling U.S. ambition on the global stage, COVID-19, and a climate emergency, its easy to see a world careening off the tracks. All sides stand accused of atrocities. Top story NPC confirms a government steeled for competition with the US This year's National People's Congress (NPC) set the points for more open great power competition with the United States as it confirmed Xi Jinping for a third term as President of the People's Republic of China. E. Baqi, `Figures for the Dead in the Revolution`. Domestic and foreign actors alike are finding themselves unable to achieve their various political goals through military means. Without it, they will face another year of gridlock, crime, and unrest as more depart in search of better lives elsewhere. Competition with China is becoming an ordering principle of U.S. policy. Battalions have crushed urban dissent, using tactics that aim to kill as many people as possible. Civil society involvement in violent conflict provides a particularly stark example of the geopoliticization of civic actors. Wikipedia lists around 40 ongoing wars and conflicts with over 100 combat deaths in 2021 or 2022. The Sahel governments need to improve their relations with citizens in the countryside. That set off a chain reaction. Biden should release Afghanistans frozen assets, with an initial tranche to test the waters. Rampantkidnappings by gangsthat lord over much of the capital of Port-au-Prince have hampered international relief efforts. For now, they appear set to stay. This transition will be particularly difficult for the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf whose economies are heavily dependent on oil sales, with countries such as Saudi Arabia embarking on an ambitious plan to diversify their revenues by 2030. Still, Western decision-makers bear the lions share of responsibility for Afghans plight. Still, if these are silver linings, theyre awfully thin. The Biden administration lost time posturing about who should make the first move and refusing substantive goodwill gestures. Since the February 2021 coup, a crackdown by the countrys military (known as the Tatmadaw) on mostly peaceful protests has fueled broad-based resistance, ranging from civil disobedience to armed clashes with security forces. He's seen previous wars end like this before, adding: "Similar . Jerusalem has been the scene of violent . Abroad, most capitals wrung their hands but did little. This past year saw the fourthGaza-Israel war in just over a decade*, illustrating again that the peace process is dead and a two-state solution looks less likely than ever. Although its a leap from discontent to protest, from protest to crisis, and from crisis to conflict, the pandemics worst symptoms may yet lie ahead. Myanmars economy is freefalling, the national currency has crashed, health and education systems have crumbled, poverty rates are estimated to havedoubledsince 2019, andhalfof all households cannot afford enough food. Foreign forcesthe EU-funded African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, and French and other European forces in the Sahelhelp keep jihadis at bay. The Caribbean nation has long been tormented by political crises, gang warfare, and natural disasters. But those can only stave off the next war for so long. The economic crisis generated by the impact of the pandemic is the fourth to hit the region since 2011 - after the Arab revolts, the 2016 oil price slump and the second wave of protests in 2019 - so socio-economic conditions were already very fragile when the coronavirus hit. 1. Boko Harams insurgency has lost the swaths of northeastern Nigeria it controlled some years ago, and the movement has fractured. Graduate student at Columbia Journalism School. As for COVID-19, the pandemic has exacerbated the worlds worst humanitarian disasters and propelled the impoverishment, rising living costs, inequality, and joblessness that fuel popular anger. Crisis Group's President Robert Malley lists the Ten Conflicts to Watch in 2021. This realisation has led to a series of de-escalations. Despite these worrying trends, the diplomatic track . At the same time, it is accelerating nuclear development. After a five-month hiatus, Iran returned to the table, driving a harder bargain. Major and regional powers vie for influence, often through local allies, in war zones. It targets civilians; in the latest of many reported incidents, credibleaccountssuggest that at the end of December the military massacred dozens of civilians fleeing violence in eastern Myanmar. This is what it was like to live through it. Middle East An Effort to Resolve Israel's Impasse Stalls on How to Pick Judges Mediators say the government and its opponents agree on some changes to a judiciary overhaul plan that has divided. Conflicts are separate incidents with at least 100 casualties, and are listed by total deaths, including sub-conflicts. Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine continued as of March 17, 2022, with one of the key points being Russia's insistence that Ukraine not join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Militants haveloose tiesto Islamic State networks that stretch both up the continents east coast and into Congos war-torn east. When the deal took effect six years ago, Irans breakout timethe time it would take to enrich enough fissile material for a nuclear weaponwas around 12 months. Beyond the human toll, a collapsed state in the heart of the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region serves no ones interests. Reports have emerged of extrajudicial killings of former soldiers and police. On April 15, 2022, Russia officially protested the United States' supplying of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. The Houthis, who see the war as pitting their nationalist forces against neighboring Saudi Arabiawhich backs Hadi with air powerwould likely continue cross-border attacks. (A U.N.-backed investigationspreliminary analysissuggests crimes against humanity.). (Chad recently pulled out some of its troops from the force, fearing upheaval at home.) September 2021. While hostilities were all too familiar, this bout brought new elements. However, any poll that would usher in a military-backed government would be seen as a farce. It had a hand this past year in a power grab in Tunisia, Sudans coup, and protests in Colombia. But maybe one could argue things are better than they seem. Note: Merriam-Webster defines war as "a state of opened and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations". Beijings growing military clout and assertiveness have provoked moredire assessmentsin Washington about the threat of a Chinese assault on Taiwan. Nevertheless, this past year stands out for many Haitians as particularly bleak. [p].^ Middle Eastern theatre of World War I (combined casualty figure 2,825,0005,000,000) of: [b].^ Turkish War of Independence (combined figure 170,500873,000+): [c].^ IraqiKurdish conflict (combined casualty figure 138,800320,100) of: [d].^ Middle Eastern theatre of World War II (combined casualty figure 12,33814,898+) of: [e].^ Iran crisis of 1946 (combined casualty figure 1,921+): [f].^ ArabIsraeli conflict (combined casualty figure 76,33887,338+): [g].^ North Yemen Civil War (combined 100,000200,000 casualties): [h].^ Lebanese Civil War (combined 39,13243,970+ mortal casualties): [i].^ Consolidation of the Iranian Revolution (combined fatalities count 12,000): [j].^ IranIraq War (combined death count 645,000823,000+): [k].^ Iraq War 20032011 (combined casualty figure of 192,361226,056+): [l].^ Sectarian conflict in Mandatory Palestine (combined casualties 7,813), [m].^ Egyptian Crisis (combined casualties 5,000+), [n].^ Syrian Civil War (combined casualties 270,000450,000), [o].^ IranIsrael proxy conflict (combined casualties 2,000), This article is about modern conflicts in the Middle East. Freedom of expression, both for professionals and ordinary citizens, remains one of the main challenges in the Middle East, where journalists, bloggers, activists and users who simply express their opinions on social media are imprisoned in several countries in the region. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed last year alone, and the number of children forced to fight as soldiers has doubled. Some shelter dissidents, provide them military training, and are negotiating with the NUG. Yemens conflict kills more people, mostly women and young children, due to starvation or preventable disease than violence. First, he should seek to avert a battle for Marib city by hearing out, without necessarily accepting, Houthi proposals and pushing for a government counteroffer that reflects the reality of todays power balance. The loss of Marib, the Hadi governments last bastion in the north, would likely herald the presidents political demise. Since then, separatists have held two breakaway areas in the Donbass. Troubling undercurrents in 2021 - from the U.S. to Afghanistan, Ethiopia or the climate emergency - didn't send battle deaths soaring or set the world ablaze. Battle deaths, after all, tell just a fraction of the story. Originally published inForeignPolicy:10 Conflicts to Watch in 2022. The Second Intifada (Sept. 2000-Present)- An urban guerrilla/terrorist conflict between the Palestinians and Israel. Biden took office pledging to rejoin the nuclear deal. Most Palestinians have lost faith they will win statehood through negotiations. The number of major wars has also descended from a recent peak. In 2022, the Middle East will have to deal with indicators of poverty and hunger that have worsened since 2020 due to the impact of the covid-19 crisis and that, in some cases, have been declining over the last decade since the popular uprisings of 2011 that, precisely, demanded decent living conditions and a better future. So while todays troubling undercurrents havent yet set battle deaths soaring or the world ablaze, things still look bad. Asmall windowmay have just opened up to bring the war to a close. It undertakes an initial exploration of these three dimensions of conflict and starts connecting resulting insights. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. Files of Major General Khalil Jassim, Jordan 2017, Ghaith Khalil, , .. Brutal fighting has embittered an already acrimonious dispute. This is a list of modern conflicts in the Middle East ensuing in the geographic and political region known as the Middle East. And yet, conflict and violence are currently on the rise, with many conflicts today waged between non-state actors. Lebanon is the country with the most dramatic economic situation, due to the crisis that erupted at the end of 2019 with the mass protests that shook the country, which were compounded in 2020 by the pandemic and the explosion of the Beirut port, which devastated entire neighbourhoods of the capital. Still, fundamentals remain unchanged. In late December, federal authorities announced they would not advance further to try and vanquish Tigrayan forces. Theres little to show for years of foreign efforts to build up indigenous armies. Two Taliban fighters in Kabul shortly after their takeover of Afghanistans capital. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. The Middle East's Conflicts Aren't Done With the Emirates Just when the United Arab Emirates thought it was done with focusing on foreign policy, they're getting pulled back in. The pandemic has also increased inequalities and may cause a major setback in poverty rates in the Middle East and North Africa, according to a December report by the World Bank, which warns that the consequences may be felt in the long term. Henry and several parties have inked a deal allowing him to rule until elections in 2022. The sudden cutoff of funds to an entirely aid-dependent state has been devastating. The crowd of peaceful protesters is chanting the peoples police and has given them roses, water and snacks to signify that their protest is against the military junta, not the police. No one knows whether compromise with militants is feasible, what it would entail, or how populations would view it. Although overall violence levels are significantly down from a year ago, the Taliban face a vicious fight against the Islamic States local branch. Africas newest jihadi frontsin northern Mozambique and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congoare also troubling. Today, it would be harderand the danger of escalation greater. Better now would be to try to end Israeli impunity for violations of Palestinian rights. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world's media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. The group holds large parts of Somalias rural south, operates shadow courts and extorts taxes beyond those areas, and occasionally mounts attacks in neighboring countries. Increasing numbers of Haitians are seeking better prospects abroad; many new departuresand indeed many Haitians who left the island some time agoare camped out along the southern U.S. border. Al-Assad spoke by phone with Jordan's King Abdullah II last October for the first time in a decade, and a few days later he spoke with Abu Dhabi's crown prince and de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Along the first island chain, things are particularly frightening. The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals. Of all the blunders the West has made in Afghanistan, this one would leave the ugliest stain. Ukrainian service members walk on the front line at the industrial zone of government-held town of Avdiyivka in Donetsk region, Ukraine December 17, 2021. , , , John J. Mearsheimer (Aug. 1990 Atlantic Monthly). Some of these Kurdish groups are allied with the U.S., who sees these Kurds as a bulwark against ISIS and the Assad regime. Russia may intend for the buildup toforce concessions. Many Ethiopians outside Tigray revile the TPLF, which dominated a repressive regime that ruled Ethiopia for decades before Abiys election. One mishap or miscalculation, in other words, and interstate war could make a comeback. In 1980, Oman became the first Gulf State to welcome a U.S. military base. But splinter groupsstill wreak tremendous harm around Lake Chad. In 2022, with the Beijing Winter Olympics, the 20th Party Congress, and U.S. midterm congressional elections, both sides likely want quiet fronts abroad, even if they rattle sabers for audiences at home. War of the Camps (1986-1987) - 3,781 killed. Here Is the Statistical Breakdown and Data for You To Download", "WikiLeaks Releases Secret Iraq File Al Jazeera Accesses 400,000 Secret US Military Documents, Which Reveal the Inside Story of the Iraq War", "Global Security WatchTurkey: A Reference Handbook", "Over 600 Palestinians killed in internal clashes since 2006", "All wars in the 20th century, since 1900 | the Polynational War Memorial", "Document Iran: Violations of human rights 19871990", "29 Oct 1933 Riots in Palestine SEQUEL TO FORBIDDEN PROCESSIO", U.S. Involvement in Middle Eastern Conflicts, Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives, Geopolitical perspective of a "new era" in the Middle East, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_modern_conflicts_in_the_Middle_East&oldid=1144804041. It detains, sometimes executes, and routinely tortures opponents, often abducting kin as hostages. The financial sector is paralyzed. Hamas, which controls Gaza, fired long-distance rockets indiscriminately into Israel. Neither is likely to deliver a mortal blow. Iran now has a missile that can hit 2000 kilometers awaydeep into China to the east, Russia to the north, as far south as Ethiopia and Somalia, and as far west as Greece. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is among the most vulnerable places in the world to climate change. Climate change and conflict continue to cause massive suffering among people by intensifying inequality. UN data shows there has been a 137 percent increase in attacks between 2020 and 2022. With Maribs oil and gas, the Houthis will be able to bring down fuel and electricity prices in areas under their control, thus bolstering their image as a governing authority deserving of international legitimacy. Houthi rebels have encircled and advanced into the oil- and gas-rich governorate of Marib. When U.S. and Chinese planes collided in 2001 during a period of reasonable calm between Beijing and Washington, it took months of intense diplomacy to resolve the spat. They express disappointment at Bidens decision not to roll back trade tariffs or sanctions as well as his efforts to mobilize other countries. Syria was expelled from the Arab League after the outbreak of protests in 2011 and their violent repression, which led to the regional and international isolation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is still under Western sanctions along with his closest entourage. Kyiv may not like the Minsk agreements, but it signed them, and they remain the internationally accepted way out of the crisis. In essence, Beijing wants a sphere of influence in which its neighbors are sovereign but deferential. Receive the best source of conflict analysis right in your inbox. The Middle East faces several major challenges in 2022, such as the fight against climate change and energy transition, as well as unfinished business such as democratisation and human rights, which remain unrespected in most Arab countries, where there has been limited progress since the 2011 uprisings, while economic indicators have not improved. ACLED's Conflict Change Map first warned of increased violence to come in . In Israeli cities, Palestinian citizens took to the streets, sometimes clashing with West Bank settlers and other right-wing Jews, often supported by Israeli police. Russia proposes a new European order that would prevent NATOs further enlargement east and curb its military deployments and activities. In Syria, the Islamic State (IS) increased attacks against regime forces, pro-regime and pro-Iran . Their plans for new elections seemingly aimed to install friendlier faces to power. An assault on the capital, Addis Ababa, appeared in the offing. The new year will likely be plagued by unresolved legacies of the old: COVID-19, economic downturns, erratic U.S. policies and destructive wars that diplomacy did not stop. Many Haitians bristle at the idea of a new U.N. peacekeeping mission, let alone U.S. military intervention, but without some overseas help it is hard to see Haiti escaping its predicament. But given Putins track record and underestimation of the hostility Moscow inspires among Ukrainians outside separatist-held areas, no one should rule out anothermilitary adventure. Battlefield dynamics have fluctuated dramatically. Biden, who will meet Putin one-on-one in early January, has made a start by threatening damaging sanctions and a larger military buildup on NATOs eastern flank. Since then, deposed lawmakers set up their own National Unity Government (NUG) and in September called for revolt against the regime. Some have remained aloof; others, responding to constituents anger at the coup, have resumed fighting the Tatmadaw. Middle East Israel sees one of its biggest-ever protests Watch: On the ground at Israel's mass protests Four Palestinians killed in Israeli raid in Jenin The dead include at least two senior. America's Commitment to the Middle East Region President Biden set forth five declaratory principles - partnership, deterrence, diplomacy, integration, and values - to guide U.S. engagement . Majority views about ethnic minorities are also changing: Long blamed for Myanmars problems, minorities demands for a fairer share of power today enjoy more support. Nascent efforts at de-escalation between Iran and Persian Gulf monarchies may help lower risks, but Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria would all be in the crossfire. West Bank Palestinians demonstrating in solidarity were met with the Israeli armys live fire. 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