Conflict Between States: Causes and Impact

Conflict between countries is a phenomenon that has a broad impact on international relations. The causes of conflict can be divided into several categories: political, economic, social, and cultural. First, political conflicts often arise from power struggles or ideological differences. An example is the tension between allied and communist countries during the Cold War. Dissatisfaction with the government or foreign policy can also trigger conflict, as seen in the case of the Arab Spring. Second, from an economic aspect, competition for natural resources is one of the main drivers of conflict. Countries rich in oil or minerals often face threats from other less fortunate countries. A striking example is the tension in the South China Sea, where claims to oil and gas fields are pushing a number of countries to compete with each other. In addition, the global economic crisis can exacerbate tensions between countries, considering that economic affiliations interact with each other in complex ways. Third, social and cultural factors cannot be ignored. Ethnic and religious differences often create tension. A relevant example is the conflict in the Balkans, where ethnic differences between Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks led to chaos and prolonged war. Discrimination and marginalization of certain groups can worsen the situation, creating a sense of injustice that leads to acts of violence. The impact of conflict between countries is very diverse. From a humanitarian perspective, conflict can cause millions of refugees and casualties. Destroyed infrastructure also resulted in a prolonged economic downturn. Countries involved in conflict usually experience stagnation in development, so they are forced to divert resources from the economy to military needs. The political impact is no less significant. Countries involved in conflict often experience prolonged political instability. Unstable leadership transitions can create power vacuums that radical or terrorist groups exploit, worsening domestic and international situations. In a global context, conflicts between countries can also trigger intervention by large countries, as we have seen in various military interventions in the Middle East. This often adds complexity to the situation, and fuels protests and discontent in other countries, often to the detriment of civilian populations. Thus, interstate conflict is a multidimensional issue, with interrelated causes and impacts. Understanding these factors is critical to efforts for peace and stability on a global scale.