Will the world see more wars or unrest in 2024? Here are 5 hotspots to watch

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Some of these nations have been dealing with simmering unrest, however, which could erupt in 2024 and seize the global spotlight.

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The Conversation

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https://theconversation.com/will-the-world-see-more-wars-or-unrest-in-2024-here-are-5-hotspots-to-watch-217807

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Saturday, December 30, 2023

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Geotags:

ANGER, CHINA, PAKISTAN, ISRAEL, MALI, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, LEBANON, AFGHANISTAN, AFRICA, SRI LANKA

Summary

Key Points:

Some of these nations have been dealing with simmering unrest, however, which could erupt in 2024 and seize the global spotlight.
Here are five places where I believe civil conflicts or unrest could worsen and potentially lead to violence.

Myanmar

Myanmar descended into chaos in 2021 when a military coup overthrew the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and sparked widespread civil protests that eventually morphed into an armed resistance.
The country, home to 135 ethnic groups, has rarely known peace.
This exploded after the coup as ethnic militia groups joined forces with pro-democracy fighters from the Bamar majority protesting the junta.

Mali

In Mali, a nation in the turbulent Sahel region of Africa, tensions escalated throughout 2023 and now threaten to erupt into full-scale civil war.
A United Nations peacekeeping mission was established in 2013 to bring stability to Mali.
Then, in 2015, key rebel groups signed a peace agreement with the Mali government.
Read more:
Mali crisis: UN peacekeepers are leaving after 10 years – what's needed for a smooth transition
After two more coups in 2020 and 2021, military officers consolidated their power and said they would restore the state’s full territorial control over all of Mali.

Lebanon

In 2019, widespread civil protest broke out in Lebanon against leaders who were perceived not to be addressing the day-to-day needs of the population.
The International Monetary Fund criticised Lebanon in September for a lack of economic reform.
Most recently, the war between Israel and Hamas has threatened to spill over to Lebanon, home to the Hezbollah militant group, which claims to have an army of 100,000 fighters.

Pakistan

Pakistan also faces spillover from instability in neighbouring Afghanistan and increased terror attacks.
Pakistan is expected to hold parliamentary elections in February 2024, after which the current military caretaker government is expected to transfer power back to civilian rule.
Read more:
How Imran Khan's populism has divided Pakistan and put it on a knife's edge

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka faced a debilitating economic crisis in 2022 that led to critical fuel, food and medical shortages.
Stability returned in 2023 as Sri Lanka began implementing economic reforms as part of a bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
Elections are also due in Sri Lanka by late 2024.

Jessica Genauer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.