04-20-2014, 08:51 PM
(04-20-2014, 07:35 PM)Psychospacecow Wrote: So, I've track. What conflicts are still going on? I honestly don't know because I was reading about one a while back and realized it wasn't the one I thought it was, and this was like a month or two ago.
Here's a brief overview of world conflicts in the news at the moment if I remember rightly.
Sorry, it's long, but I love foreign affairs.
Venezuela - Ongoing riots against the government.
Syria - Civil war still rages. 4 French journalists released yesterday. Rebels losing ground and support from Western power as they become more polarised towards Al-Qaeda/Al-Nusra Front. Reports of chemical weapons, banned by UN convention, being used. Both sides accuse the other.
UN resolution unlikely as Russia has veto power on the UN Security Council.
Ukraine - Pro-Russian dissidents take over several government buildings in Eastern Ukraine (Donetsk, among others) declaring autonomous republics.
EU, USA, Russia and Ukraine agree on diplomatic solution. So far, not so good. Russia condemns attacks on Pro-Russian folk in the East. Russia massing troops on the border. Invasion to "protect civilians" likely from the Russians.
Ukraine isn't part of NATO, so there's not much we can do.
Hate to say it, but Russia is playing this beautifully. Pushing diplomatic boundaries to the maximum, waiting for a defensible cause and going in. That's why I think they'll soon have Eastern Ukraine -- There are more and more uprisings, likely instigated by Russia. That will lead to more instability, and Russia will then say it is obliged to intervene to 'protect the security of civilians'. Once they're in, hey! why not have a referendum. Ok you join Russia. Ukraine loses Eastern oblasts.
Transnistria - Breakaway republic in Moldova (just West of Ukraine) want to join Russia. More and more unrest.
Central African Republic - Fighting continues between the muslim and christian groups. France sends more troops to stabilise the situation. The EU also approves troops under the aegis of the UN.
South Sudan - This young country still under a power struggle between the current ruler and his former 2nd in command who wants his job.
UN base attacked a few days ago. UN not happy, tells South Sudan to sort out its crap.
Algeria - Presidential elections occuring with President Bouteflika running for yet another term.
Civil unrest brewing as many, particularly the young, state that he is too old and that he is not fit at all to rule (he had a stroke and other health issues and is seldom seen in public).
Egypt - As predicted, Field Marshal Al-Sissi is running for the presidency of Egypt, after spearheading the overthrow of the democratically elected Muslim Brotherhood.
Egypt doesn't seem to understand that the past is just going to repeat itself. Military ruler is hero of revolution. Takes power, goes all despotic. Is overthrown by the next man of the moment.
A left-wing candidate is standing against him (the only one so far), but I bey Al-Sissi will win and Egypt will have a tough time. Terrible shame.
Nigeria - Islamist insurgents still causing chaos, particularly in the North-East of the country. A few days ago, over 100 school girls were kidnapped. Every few days, scores die in terrorist attacks.
UN telling Nigeria to sort out its crap otherwise it will have to intervene.
Libya - Rebels still hold some ports and are starting to sell oil to whomever wants to buy some.
Mali - Islamist rebels, linked to AQIM, still skitting around being general knobs. French and African Union troops still chasing them around. Very difficult as the territory is vast. Cat and mouse, basically.
Bosnia-Herzegovina - Civil unrest against what is claimed to be a corrupt government. High unemployment, rampant poverty... the (unfortunate) usual reasons for protests.
Government buildings burnt a few months ago.
Spain - Not really a conflict, but an interesting subject. Catalonian seperatists will not be able to hold a referendum, regional vote blocked by national government.
UK - Again, not a conflict, but one to watch. Scotland independence referendum will happen in a few months. Opinion polls suggest the vote will fail.
Turkey - After banning Twitter, protests got even starker against erdoghan's government, which is muzzling the internet more and more.
Again, this is all from memory, so don't hesitate to tell me if I got something wrong (or to add some conflict I missed).