How Many Wars Are Going on Right Now?
It is estimated that there are 32 ongoing conflicts worldwide, ranging from drugs wars, terrorist insurgencies, ethnic conflicts, and civil wars. These conflicts affect thousands of people, cause irreparable damage to economies, and disrupt global peace.
What Wars Are the US Currently Involved in?
The United States is currently involved in at least six major military conflicts. These include:
- Afghanistan: The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks.
- Iraq: The US led a coalition to depose Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003 and occupied the country for almost a decade.
- Pakistan: The US launched a drone campaign against terror groups in Pakistan in 2004.
- Somalia: The US provided military support to Somalia in 2009 and continues to do so against the terrorist group, al-Shabaab.
- Yemen: The US has been conducting a bombing campaign against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen since 2017.
- Syria: The US intervened militarily in Syria in 2014, launching airstrikes against the Islamic State, or ISIS.
Where Is the Safest Country in the World?
According to the Global Peace Index (GPI), Iceland was the safest country in the world in 2021. This is the 13th consecutive year it has held this ranking, with a score of 1.034 out of 5.
Here are the top 10 safest countries in the world, based on the 2021 GPI report:
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 1. | Iceland |
| 2. | New Zealand |
| 3. | Ireland |
| 4. | Austria |
| 5. | Denmark |
| 6. | Switzerland |
| 7. | Singapore |
| 8. | Norway |
| 9. | Canada |
| 10. | The United Kingdom |
Crimes in the United States
The violent crime rate in America increased by 4.6% between 2019 and 2020, reaching the highest level since 2010, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). However, this does not necessarily mean that individual states or cities have crime rates that are representative of the national average.
Is It Safe to Live in the United States?
The FBI has reportedly received thousands of reports of hate crimes against immigrant communities in recent years, with a majority happening in California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Illinois. There was a 14.9% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes and an 11.8% increase in anti-Arab and anti-Muslim hate crimes in 2017.
Conclusion
Conflict is a complex issue with various factors contributing to their onset and escalation. Efforts to prevent conflicts involve a range of international legal, political, economic, and social strategies. Ultimately, the number of conflicts globally is a sign that the world is grappling with these challenges, but cooperation, diplomacy, and community building can help us towards a more peaceful world.