Many crises have not been overcome: Afghanistan is the most dangerous source of conflict

Thursday December 31, 2020

Many crises have not been overcome
Afghanistan is the most dangerous trouble spot

Experts rate the world's crisis regions according to their danger: Most of the trouble spots still exist in Africa, but the dispute over Iran's nuclear program also offers the potential for escalation. Here, the organization is particularly hoping for the next US President, Joe Biden.

In addition to the devastating consequences of the Corona crisis, the world is likely to continue to occupy a number of dangerous conflicts in 2021. The "International Crisis Group", an organization for conflict resolution and peacemaking, names ten conflicts that need to be monitored. In addition to several conflict regions, the organization lists the USA, Russia and Turkey as important players.

In the first place is Afghanistan with its attempt to make peace with the once ruling Islamist-militant Taliban. In second place, the "International Crisis Group" names the recently erupted conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where peace can only be achieved with a dialogue to overcome ethnic tensions. In the Sahel region south of the Sahara, jihadists used ethnic tensions to spread to Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Given the economic collapse, Venezuela urgently needs a well-organized change of power.

The desired peace in Libya is made more difficult because foreign forces fueled the civil war. In Somalia, after years of struggle against the Islamist Al-Shabab militia, regional tensions rose, and planned elections could fuel conflicts. In Yemen, a new attempt at peace talks between the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi and separatists from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and the Houthi rebels, who overran the country in 2014, is necessary.

Russia and Turkey are often keys to peace

In eighth place, the "International Crisis Group" names the conflict between the USA and Iran. The pressure of sanctions from the USA has failed, Iran is hoarding nuclear material and has improved its missile program. The organization calls on the next US President Joe Biden to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the five UN veto powers and Germany.

Russia and Turkey are on opposing sides in many conflicts, for example in Libya and Syria, or are fighting against each other for influence, for example in the Caucasus. So far, they have still come to an understanding, but a major argument could exacerbate many conflicts. Finally, the Crisis Group names climate change, which is exacerbating conflicts. Rich countries would have to raise the promised $ 100 billion to help particularly affected countries.