Regional and Internal Conflicts Since the Late 20th Century
Since the end of World War II, many of the world’s most violent and long-lasting conflicts have not been between countries—but within them. These internal and regional conflicts have been driven by a mix of ethnic, religious, political, and nationalist tensions. In many cases, they have led to civil war, humanitarian crises, and long-term instability. Understanding these conflicts means looking at the specific groups involved, their goals, and the historical divisions that fueled the fighting.
Nationalism and Factionalism
Nationalism is the belief that a group of people with a shared identity—based on culture, ethnicity, or language—should have their own nation or government. In some cases, nationalism has helped colonized or oppressed groups fight for independence. But in other cases, it has led to violence, especially when multiple groups compete for the same land or power.
Factionalism happens when political, ethnic, or religious groups within a single country are deeply divided. These internal divisions can lead to power struggles, weak governments, and long-term conflict.
Northern Ireland
From the late 1960s through the 1990s, Northern Ireland experienced a violent conflict known as The Troubles. This conflict was rooted in both political and religious differences. Protestant unionists, who mostly identified as British, wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom. Catholic nationalists, who mostly identified as Irish, wanted the region to join the Republic of Ireland.
The conflict included terrorist attacks, armed paramilitary groups, and harsh government crackdowns. Bombings in public spaces and targeted killings became part of daily life. By the time a peace agreement was reached in 1998—called the Good Friday Agreement—over 3,500 people had died. Although the violence mostly stopped, political tension and community divisions still exist.
South Africa
In South Africa, the system of apartheid legally separated people by race from 1948 to the early 1990s. Under apartheid, the white minority controlled the government, economy, and land, while the Black majority and other nonwhite populations were denied basic rights. They could not vote, attend the same schools, or even live in the same neighborhoods as white citizens.
Opposition groups like the African National Congress (ANC), led by Nelson Mandela, organized resistance through protests, international campaigns, and, in some cases, armed struggle. The government responded with arrests, censorship, and violence. After years of pressure and negotiations, apartheid laws were repealed, Mandela was released from prison, and democratic elections were held in 1994. South Africa became a symbol of peaceful transition, but economic inequality and social divisions remain major challenges today.
The Middle East
The Middle East has experienced many overlapping regional and internal conflicts. One example is the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which centers on disputes over land, borders, and political recognition. Israel was created in 1948, but Palestinians lost land and became refugees in the process. Since then, the conflict has included wars, uprisings (called intifadas), and repeated cycles of violence between Israeli forces and Palestinian groups.
In Syria, protests against the government in 2011 turned into a brutal civil war. The government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, used military force against civilians, and multiple rebel groups formed to fight back. The war drew in outside powers, including Russia, the U.S., and regional actors, and gave rise to extremist groups like ISIS. Millions of Syrians have been killed, wounded, or displaced.
In Iraq, years of dictatorship, foreign invasion, and sectarian conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims have left the country unstable. The 2003 U.S.-led invasion to remove Saddam Hussein’s regime contributed to long-term violence, civil war, and the rise of terrorism.
Myanmar
In Myanmar (also known as Burma), a long history of ethnic division and military rule has led to repeated internal conflicts. In recent years, one of the most serious crises has involved the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group living in a mostly Buddhist country. The Rohingya have faced discrimination and been denied citizenship. In 2017, the Myanmar military launched violent operations against Rohingya villages, burning homes and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee to neighboring countries like Bangladesh. The United Nations and other organizations have described these actions as ethnic cleansing, and efforts to hold leaders accountable are ongoing.
Why These Conflicts Matter
These examples show that internal conflicts—especially those driven by nationalism, religious identity, inequality, or political division—can lead to violence that lasts for decades. In many cases, these conflicts also draw in other nations, either as allies, peacekeepers, or critics. The effects are often long-lasting: destroyed communities, economic hardship, mass migration, and deep distrust between groups. Understanding these conflicts helps explain current global challenges, from refugee crises to international peace talks. Even though global wars like World War II have ended, internal and regional conflicts continue to shape the modern world.