Decades of Disruption: A Look at the 10 Major Wars of the Last 20 Years

1. War in Afghanistan (2001-2021):

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from 2001 to 2021, was a military conflict fought between the Afghan Taliban and the Afghan government, with the support of the United States and its allies. The conflict began in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which were carried out by the al-Qaeda terrorist group, who were based in Afghanistan under the protection of the Taliban.

The US-led coalition launched a military campaign to oust the Taliban from power and destroy al-Qaeda's presence in Afghanistan. The initial phase of the war, Operation Enduring Freedom, was successful in toppling the Taliban regime and disrupting al-Qaeda's operations in the country. However, the Taliban insurgency soon regained strength and launched a guerrilla-style campaign against Afghan and coalition forces.

Over the years, the conflict in Afghanistan evolved into a complex, multi-sided conflict involving various insurgent groups, criminal networks, and regional powers. The war resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, including civilians, soldiers, and insurgents. It also caused significant damage to Afghanistan's infrastructure and economy and led to the displacement of millions of people.

The war officially ended on August 31, 2021, when the US completed its withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The Taliban subsequently took control of the country, raising concerns about the future of human rights, democracy, and stability in Afghanistan.

2. Iraq War (2003-2011):

The Iraq War, which lasted from 2003 to 2011, was a military conflict that began with the invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland. The conflict was initiated by the US government, which accused the Iraqi government of possessing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and supporting terrorist organizations.

The war quickly led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's government, and a prolonged occupation of Iraq by the US-led coalition. The conflict resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, thousands of coalition soldiers, and significant damage to Iraq's infrastructure and economy. The war also resulted in a rise in sectarian violence and instability in the country.

However, no WMDs were ever found in Iraq, and the rationale for the war was later widely questioned. The conflict became highly controversial, both domestically and internationally, with many accusing the US government of using false pretenses to justify the invasion.

The conflict officially ended in 2011, with the withdrawal of US combat troops from Iraq. However, the aftermath of the war has continued to affect Iraq and the broader region. The country has struggled to rebuild and has continued to face sectarian violence and political instability. The conflict also contributed to the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which emerged as a major threat to the region and the world in the following years.

3. Syrian Civil War (2011-present):

The Syrian Civil War is a complex, multi-sided conflict that began in 2011 as a popular uprising against the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The conflict has evolved into a prolonged and brutal war involving a wide range of actors, including the Syrian government, opposition groups, jihadist groups, Kurdish forces, and various international actors.

The conflict began with peaceful protests against the government, but it quickly escalated into a full-blown civil war as the government cracked down violently on protesters. Opposition groups soon emerged, and the conflict quickly became militarized, with various groups fighting for control of territory and resources.

Over the years, the conflict has been characterized by widespread human rights abuses, including the use of chemical weapons, torture, and mass displacement. The war has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions of Syrians displaced from their homes and in need of humanitarian assistance.

The conflict has also drawn in a wide range of international actors, including the United States, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and various regional powers. The war has been complicated by the involvement of jihadist groups, including ISIS, which emerged as a major force in the conflict and carried out numerous attacks on civilians.

Despite multiple attempts at peace talks and ceasefire agreements, the conflict has continued to rage on, with the Syrian government regaining control of much of the country with the support of its allies. However, large parts of the country remain outside of government control, and the conflict continues to cause suffering for millions of Syrians.

4. Yemeni Civil War (2015-present):

The Yemeni Civil War is a conflict that began in 2015, between forces loyal to the internationally recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and Houthi rebels, who are aligned with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The conflict has since escalated into a larger regional conflict, with various regional and international actors involved.

The conflict began when the Houthis, who are a Shia rebel group, took control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and other parts of the country, forcing the internationally recognized government to flee to the southern port city of Aden. The conflict quickly escalated, with a coalition of Arab states led by Saudi Arabia launching a military campaign in support of the Yemeni government.

The conflict has resulted in significant damage to Yemen's infrastructure and economy and has caused a humanitarian crisis, with millions of Yemenis facing food and medical shortages. The United Nations has called the situation in Yemen one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

The conflict has been characterized by widespread human rights abuses, including the use of child soldiers, torture, and arbitrary detention. The conflict has also led to the displacement of millions of people, with many forced to flee their homes due to the fighting.

The conflict has been complicated by the involvement of regional and international actors, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates supporting the Yemeni government, while Iran is accused of supporting the Houthi rebels. The conflict has also been used as a proxy war by regional powers, with Saudi Arabia and Iran vying for influence in the region.

Despite numerous attempts at peace talks, the conflict has continued to rage on, with no end in sight. The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains dire, with millions of people in need of urgent assistance.

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5. Nagorno-Karabakh War (2020):

The Nagorno-Karabakh War was a conflict that erupted in September 2020 between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Nagorno-Karabakh is a predominantly ethnic Armenian region that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but has been controlled by Armenian-backed separatists since a war in the early 1990s.

The conflict began when Azerbaijani forces launched a military offensive to retake control of the region, which had been in Armenian hands for decades. The conflict quickly escalated, with both sides exchanging heavy artillery and rocket fire, and both sides accusing the other of targeting civilians.

The war was marked by significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure. Both sides suffered significant casualties, with estimates of the death toll ranging from several hundred to several thousand. The conflict also led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people from the region.

The war came to an end in November 2020, with a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement. Under the agreement, Armenian-backed separatist forces agreed to withdraw from several territories that had been under their control, allowing Azerbaijan to take control of those areas. The ceasefire was largely seen as a victory for Azerbaijan, which was able to regain control of territory that had been under Armenian control for decades.

The conflict was highly controversial, both domestically and internationally, with many accusing both sides of committing war crimes and targeting civilians. The conflict also drew in various international actors, with Russia, Turkey, and Iran all playing a role in the conflict.

6. Russo-Georgian War (2008):

The Russo-Georgian War was a conflict that took place in August 2008 between Georgia and Russia, following a period of rising tensions between the two countries. The conflict was sparked by a military operation launched by Georgia to regain control of the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which had been under de facto control of Russian-backed separatists since the early 1990s.

The Georgian military launched a surprise attack on South Ossetia, leading to a swift response from Russia. Russian forces quickly intervened in the conflict, sending troops and tanks into South Ossetia and launching air strikes on Georgian targets. Russian forces also moved into the adjacent region of Abkhazia, which had also declared independence from Georgia in the 1990s.

The conflict was marked by significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure, with both sides accusing the other of targeting civilians. The conflict also led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people from the region.

The war ended with a ceasefire agreement brokered by France and the European Union, which called for the withdrawal of Russian and Georgian forces from the conflict zone. However, Russian forces continued to occupy South Ossetia and Abkhazia, leading to ongoing tensions between Russia and Georgia.

The conflict was highly controversial, both domestically and internationally, with many accusing both sides of committing war crimes and targeting civilians. The conflict also drew in various international actors, with the United States and European Union supporting Georgia, while Russia received support from several former Soviet republics. The conflict has had a lasting impact on the region, with ongoing tensions between Russia and Georgia over the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

7. War in Donbass (2014-present):

The War in Donbass is an ongoing armed conflict that began in April 2014 between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists in the Donbass region of Eastern Ukraine. The conflict erupted following the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine and the subsequent annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

The conflict has been marked by significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure, with both sides accusing the other of targeting civilians. The conflict has also led to the displacement of millions of people from the region.

The conflict began with pro-Russian separatists seizing control of several towns and cities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, declaring the establishment of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian government launched a military operation to regain control of the region, leading to ongoing fighting between Ukrainian forces and separatist fighters, who are widely believed to be backed by the Russian Federation.

The conflict has been characterized by a series of ceasefire agreements, most notably the Minsk Protocol and Minsk II, which were brokered by France, Germany, and Russia. However, the ceasefire agreements have been repeatedly violated, leading to ongoing fighting in the region.

The conflict has drawn in various international actors, with the United States and European Union supporting Ukraine, while Russia has been accused of providing military and financial support to the separatists. The conflict has also had broader geopolitical implications, leading to tensions between Russia and the West and prompting a shift in NATO's security posture in Europe.

Despite numerous ceasefire agreements, the conflict in Donbass continues to simmer, with ongoing fighting and sporadic violence in the region. The conflict remains a major challenge for Ukraine, and a source of ongoing tension between Russia and the West.

8. Second Libyan Civil War (2014-present):

The Second Libyan Civil War is an ongoing conflict that began in 2014, following the overthrow of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The conflict has been marked by significant violence and political instability, with multiple factions vying for control of the country.

The conflict began when a coalition of armed groups, known as Operation Dawn, launched an offensive against the internationally recognized Libyan government in Tripoli. The conflict quickly escalated, with various factions joining the fight and foreign actors becoming involved.

The conflict has been characterized by a series of shifting alliances and rivalries, with various factions jockeying for control of territory and resources. The conflict has also been marked by allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses, with both sides accused of targeting civilians and committing atrocities.

The conflict has drawn in various international actors, with the United States and European Union supporting the internationally recognized government, while Russia and several Arab states have provided support to the Libyan National Army, led by General Khalifa Haftar.

Despite a series of ceasefire agreements and attempts at political reconciliation, the conflict in Libya continues to simmer, with ongoing fighting and political instability in the country. The conflict remains a major challenge for Libya and the broader region, with the ongoing violence and political instability fueling extremism and humanitarian crises.

9. War in Somalia (2006-present):

The War in Somalia is an ongoing armed conflict that began in 2006, involving various armed groups, government forces, and international actors. The conflict has been marked by significant violence and political instability, with various factions vying for control of territory and resources.

The conflict began in 2006 when Ethiopian forces entered Somalia to support the transitional government against the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), a group of Islamist militias that had taken control of much of southern Somalia. The conflict quickly escalated, with various armed groups joining the fight and international actors becoming involved.

The conflict has been characterized by a series of shifting alliances and rivalries, with various factions jockeying for control of territory and resources. The conflict has also been marked by allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses, with both sides accused of targeting civilians and committing atrocities.

The conflict has drawn in various international actors, with the United States and European Union providing support to the transitional government, while other countries in the region, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, have provided military support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which was established to support the government.

Despite a series of attempts at political reconciliation, the conflict in Somalia continues to simmer, with ongoing fighting and political instability in the country. The conflict remains a major challenge for Somalia and the broader region, with the ongoing violence and political instability fueling extremism and humanitarian crises.

10. South Sudanese Civil War (2013-2020):

The South Sudanese Civil War was a conflict that began in December 2013 and lasted until February 2020. The conflict erupted following a political dispute between the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, and his former Vice President, Riek Machar.

The conflict quickly escalated, with various armed groups joining the fight and international actors becoming involved. The conflict was characterized by significant violence and human rights abuses, with both sides accused of targeting civilians and committing atrocities.

The conflict also had significant humanitarian consequences, with millions of people displaced from their homes and facing food and water shortages. The conflict also led to a significant refugee crisis, with hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese fleeing to neighboring countries.

The conflict drew in various international actors, with the United Nations deploying a peacekeeping mission, known as the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and the African Union establishing a Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights abuses.

In September 2018, a peace agreement was signed between the government and opposition forces, which led to a decrease in violence and a decrease in the number of people displaced by the conflict. The peace agreement also paved the way for the formation of a transitional government in February 2020, which was intended to work towards lasting peace and stability in the country.

While the signing of the peace agreement was a positive step, the situation in South Sudan remains fragile, with ongoing violence and humanitarian crises in the country. The conflict remains a major challenge for South Sudan and the broader region, with ongoing violence and political instability fueling humanitarian crises and limiting the country's economic development.