The world at war: the flashpoints that the west ignores

The World at War: The Flashpoints That the West Ignores

Introduction

While conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East dominate global headlines, numerous other flashpoints around the world continue to burn, often unnoticed or ignored by Western governments and media. These conflicts, ranging from civil wars to territorial disputes and insurgencies, have devastating humanitarian consequences, geopolitical implications, and the potential to escalate into larger regional wars.

This article examines some of the most overlooked conflicts worldwide, their causes, and the broader impact of ignoring these crises.

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1. The Overlooked Conflicts and Flashpoints

A. Africa: The Silent Wars

1. The Tigray War (Ethiopia) and Its Fallout

The war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region (2020-2022) left hundreds of thousands dead, yet received minimal global attention compared to other conflicts. Though an official peace agreement was signed in November 2022, tensions persist, with reports of continued violence. The lack of sustained Western engagement has allowed Ethiopia’s government to suppress dissent without significant international consequences.

Impact:

Famine-like conditions persist in Tigray due to disrupted food supplies.

Ethnic violence in other Ethiopian regions, such as Amhara and Oromia, has increased.

The African Union's credibility as a conflict mediator is weakened.

2. The War in Sudan (2023-Present)

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has displaced over 7 million people and led to massive human rights abuses, including ethnic cleansing in Darfur.

Impact:

One of the largest displacement crises since World War II.

The power vacuum risks creating a safe haven for terrorist groups.

Lack of Western intervention emboldens regional actors like Egypt and the UAE, who have taken sides in the conflict.

B. The Forgotten Conflicts in Asia

3. Myanmar: A Country in Chaos

Since the military coup in 2021, Myanmar has been in a state of civil war. Ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces continue to resist the military junta, which has responded with indiscriminate airstrikes and mass arrests. The West's response has been largely limited to sanctions, with little tangible support for resistance movements.

Impact:

Over 2 million displaced within Myanmar, with thousands fleeing to Thailand and India.

Increased Chinese influence as Beijing backs the junta while engaging with ethnic armed groups.

Weakens ASEAN’s credibility as a regional security body.

4. The Insurgency in West Papua (Indonesia)

The indigenous population of West Papua has been fighting for independence from Indonesia for decades. The conflict remains largely hidden, with Jakarta imposing strict media blackouts. Reports of Indonesian military atrocities rarely make international news.

Impact:

Systematic human rights violations, including massacres and forced displacement.

Threat of further radicalization among Papuan insurgents.

Lack of Western pressure allows Indonesia to act with impunity.

C. The Middle East and Central Asia Beyond Palestine

5. Yemen: The World’s Worst Humanitarian Crisis

While the Ukraine war has dominated the West’s attention, Yemen remains in crisis. Although Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have engaged in peace talks, clashes continue. The country is still experiencing famine, and millions rely on humanitarian aid.

Impact:

Prolonged suffering due to lack of international focus.

Iran's growing influence through its support for the Houthis.

Potential for renewed Saudi-Iranian tensions if peace talks fail.

6. Afghanistan’s Forgotten Struggles

Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghanistan has largely disappeared from Western discourse. However, violence continues, particularly with the rise of the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K). The country remains a hotbed for terrorism, drug trafficking, and severe human rights abuses, especially against women.

Impact:

Afghanistan's economic collapse has triggered a refugee crisis.

The Taliban’s failure to curb ISIS-K could threaten regional security.

Western disengagement leaves China and Russia as key external players in Afghanistan.

D. Latin America’s Hidden Conflicts

7. Colombia and the FARC Dissidents

Despite a 2016 peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), violence has continued. FARC dissidents, along with drug cartels and paramilitary groups, control large parts of the country.

Impact:

Increased violence in rural areas, with civilians caught in the crossfire.

Drug trade continues to destabilize both Colombia and its neighbors.

Weak enforcement of peace agreements fuels distrust in state institutions.

8. Haiti: A Country on the Brink

Haiti has been in crisis for years, with gangs now controlling vast portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The government is weak, and international intervention has been ineffective.

Impact:

A record number of Haitian refugees are fleeing to the U.S. and other countries.

Haiti risks becoming a failed state with no functioning government.

Lack of Western intervention allows criminal networks to flourish.

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2. The Consequences of Ignoring These Flashpoints

A. Humanitarian Disaster and Refugee Crises

By ignoring these conflicts, Western governments fail to prevent mass displacement. Refugee numbers have surged, leading to strain on neighboring countries and increased migration crises in Europe and North America.

B. Rise of Extremism and Insurgencies

Many ignored conflicts provide fertile ground for terrorist groups. The rise of ISIS-K in Afghanistan and resurgent jihadist groups in Africa are direct consequences of international neglect.

C. Geopolitical Power Vacuums

When the West disengages, authoritarian powers like China and Russia step in. Beijing's growing presence in Africa and Moscow's Wagner Group operations in Sudan and the Central African Republic are examples of this shift.

D. The Erosion of International Law

Ignoring conflicts where war crimes are rampant weakens the credibility of international institutions like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC). This emboldens authoritarian regimes to act with impunity.

E. Economic Instability

Conflicts disrupt trade routes and global supply chains. The war in Yemen affects oil shipments through the Red Sea, while instability in Sudan threatens trade in the Horn of Africa.

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3. Why Does the West Ignore These Conflicts?

A. Strategic Interests and Selective Engagement

Western nations prioritize conflicts where they have economic or strategic interests. Ukraine, for example, receives massive aid due to its geopolitical importance, whereas conflicts in Africa and Latin America are sidelined.

B. Media Bias and Public Apathy

Western media often focuses on conflicts that resonate with their audience. Racial and cultural biases also play a role—wars in non-Western regions are often framed as "inevitable tribal conflicts" rather than crises needing intervention.

C. Military Fatigue and Domestic Politics

After long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Western governments are hesitant to engage in new conflicts. Domestic concerns, such as economic downturns, further reduce political will to intervene.

D. The Role of International Organizations

Institutions like the UN often lack the power to intervene effectively. Without strong Western backing, peacekeeping efforts remain weak and ineffective.

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4. The Way Forward: A More Balanced Global Approach

A. Increased Humanitarian Aid and Diplomatic Engagement

Instead of selective intervention, the West should support diplomatic solutions and increase funding for humanitarian aid in neglected regions.

B. Strengthening Regional Security Alliances

Empowering regional bodies like the African Union, ASEAN, and the Organization of American States can help address conflicts more effectively.

C. Holding Perpetrators Accountable

The West should push for greater accountability through sanctions and international legal mechanisms against war criminals in ignored conflicts.

D. Reforming Media Coverage

Greater diversity in global news coverage can bring awareness to overlooked conflicts and push governments to act.

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Conclusion

The world's crises are interconnected. Ignoring conflicts in Africa, Asia, and Latin America only leads to larger global instability, from refugee crises to economic disruptions and the rise of extremism. If the West continues to prioritize only selective conflicts, it risks not just moral failure but also long-term geopolitical consequences. A truly global approach to conflict resolution is essential for a more stable and just world.