International Policy

Fewer Armed Conflicts Worldwide

The number of major armed conflicts began declining in 1989 and has continued to trend downward ever since, according to the latest annual report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

  • Twenty-five such conflicts were waged in 24 locations around the world last year -- two fewer than in 1996.

  • Aside from the international conflict between Pakistan and India, all others were internal.

  • In 1989, the last year of the Cold War, there were 36 conflicts in 32 locations.

  • Asia hosted 10 major conflicts last year -- defined as those in which the government is one of the parties and where the number of battle deaths surpasses 1,000 for the duration of the conflict -- and Africa endured eight.

After the resolution of conflict in Guatemala last year, Central and South America dropped from three to two conflicts -- in Peru and Columbia. The only major conflict in Europe was in Northern Ireland. In the Middle East, the number remained unchanged year-to-year at four.

Source: Pia Ohlin (Agence France-Presse), "Armed Conflicts Continue to Decline," Washington Times, June 15, 1998.

Home | Support Us | All Issues | Social Security | Debate Central | Contact Us

Dallas Headquarters: 12770 Coit Rd., Suite 800 - Dallas, TX 75251-1339 - 972/386-6272 - Fax 972/386-0924
Washington Office: 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 900 South Building, Washington, DC 20004 - 202/220-3082 - Fax 202/220-3096
© 2001 NCPA