Is the world getting worse and worse?

Conflicts worse than Israel-Hamas you never heard about

In the face of mounting challenges, it’s all too common to hear the refrain: ‘the world is getting worse and worse.’ The narrative paints a grim picture, portraying our era as the darkest point in history. But amidst these daunting circumstances, we must ask ourselves: is this portrayal accurate? And more importantly, does this pessimistic perspective serve any purpose in the crucial task of steering our world towards a brighter future? In exploring these questions, we unravel not only the reality of our global situation but also the power of hope and optimism in driving the change we so desperately need

There are several lesser-known conflicts around the world that have caused significant humanitarian crises and casualties but haven’t received as much international attention as the Israel-Hamas conflict. One example is the conflict in Yemen, which involves various factions, including Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition. This conflict has led to widespread famine, displacement, and a severe humanitarian crisis.

Another example is the conflict in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has resulted in large-scale violence, displacement, and human rights abuses. The ongoing conflict in South Sudan, which started in 2013, has also caused immense suffering, with millions of people displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance.

These are just a few examples, and there are unfortunately many more conflicts around the world with devastating consequences for the people living in those regions.

Here are ten lesser-known conflicts that have caused significant humanitarian crises:

Yemen Conflict: Involves various factions, including Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition, leading to widespread famine and displacement.

Kasai Conflict (Democratic Republic of Congo): Conflict in the Kasai region has resulted in large-scale violence, displacement, and human rights abuses.

South Sudan Conflict: Ongoing conflict since 2013 has led to millions of people being displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance.

Cameroon Anglophone Crisis: Conflict between the government and English-speaking separatists has resulted in violence and displacement.

Rohingya Crisis (Myanmar/Bangladesh): Ethnic violence and persecution have forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee Myanmar to neighboring Bangladesh.

Syrian Civil War: Although not lesser-known, the complexity of this conflict involves multiple factions and has resulted in one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century.

Central African Republic Conflict: Ethnic and religious tensions have led to violence and displacement in this African nation.

Libyan Crisis: Political instability and armed conflict have plagued Libya since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: A long-standing territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, leading to periodic escalations of violence.

Somali Civil War: Decades-long conflict involving various factions and foreign interventions, leading to widespread instability and humanitarian issues.

Each of these conflicts has its unique causes and consequences, and they continue to impact the lives of millions of people around the world.

Why haven’t we heard of these conflicts?

The lack of widespread international awareness about these conflicts can be attributed to several factors:

Media Coverage: Media coverage tends to focus on conflicts that are perceived as geopolitically significant or have a direct impact on powerful nations. Conflicts in less prominent regions might not receive as much attention from international media outlets.

Complexity: Many of these conflicts are highly complex, involving multiple parties, historical factors, and intricate geopolitical dynamics. Simplifying these issues for mass consumption can be challenging, making it difficult for the media to effectively communicate the nuances of the conflicts.

Limited Access: Journalists often face significant risks when reporting from conflict zones. Limited access and dangerous conditions can hinder journalists’ ability to cover these conflicts in depth.

Lack of Resources: Humanitarian crises in less affluent regions may not attract as much aid or resources, leading to less support for media coverage and awareness campaigns.

Other Global Events: Major global events, such as pandemics, economic crises, or high-profile international conflicts, can overshadow ongoing, protracted crises in other parts of the world.

Political Factors: Some conflicts involve sensitive political issues or powerful actors who may suppress information or control the narrative to maintain their interests. This can limit the flow of information to the international community.

Compassion Fatigue: Unfortunately, the constant exposure to various crises around the world can lead to “compassion fatigue,” where people become desensitized to humanitarian issues due to the overwhelming volume of problems being reported.

While these factors contribute to the lack of awareness, it’s essential for concerned individuals to actively seek out information from reliable sources and support organizations working in these regions to raise awareness and aid those affected by these conflicts.

Assessing whether the world is getting better or worse in terms of conflict is a complex task that depends on various factors and perspectives. Here are a few points to consider:

Positive Trends:

Global Conflict Deaths: On a global scale, the number of people dying in conflicts has decreased since the mid-20th century. Major wars between countries have become less common.

Conflict Resolution: There has been progress in resolving some long-standing conflicts. For instance, the Colombian government signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016, ending a conflict that had lasted for over 50 years.

Global Governance: International institutions and agreements have helped in preventing conflicts between major powers. The presence of forums like the United Nations provides a platform for diplomatic solutions.

Reduction in Nuclear Tensions: While nuclear proliferation remains a concern, the number of nuclear weapons has decreased since the Cold War, and there have been efforts to reduce nuclear tensions through treaties and agreements.

Negative Trends:

Regional Conflicts: While major conflicts between powerful nations have decreased, regional conflicts, especially those within countries, continue to cause significant suffering and displacement.

New Forms of Conflict: Non-traditional forms of conflict, such as cyber warfare and terrorism, have emerged, posing new challenges to global stability.

Humanitarian Crises: Conflicts in places like Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan have led to severe humanitarian crises, with millions of people displaced and in need of aid.

Resource Scarcity: As the global population grows and resources become scarcer, competition for these resources can lead to conflicts, especially in regions where resources like water and arable land are limited.

While there are positive trends such as decreasing global conflict deaths and successful conflict resolutions in some areas, the persistence of regional conflicts and the emergence of new challenges indicate that the situation is complex. It’s important to continue international efforts in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and diplomacy while addressing the underlying issues that contribute to conflicts, such as poverty, inequality, and political instability. Overall, progress has been made, but significant challenges remain.

What do you think? Is the world better or worse? And ultimately, does this knowledge help us heal our pain?