December 21, 2024

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Global Politics in Crisis: What’s Behind the Surge in Global Conflicts?

Introduction The world has seen an alarming rise in global conflicts in recent years. From ongoing wars in the Middle East to escalating tensions between major world powers, it often feels like the international political landscape is in crisis. Whether it’s civil unrest, proxy wars, territorial disputes, or the resurgence of authoritarianism, global politics appears to be in a constant state of turmoil. But what exactly is behind the surge in global conflicts? Is it the result of historical grievances, changing power dynamics, or something else? In this blog post, we’ll explore the various factors contributing to this crisis in global politics, offering insights into the complexities of modern international relations. The Return of Great Power Rivalries One of the main drivers behind the rise in global conflicts is the resurgence of great power rivalries. The Cold War-era tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union have given way to a new power struggle between the United States, China, and Russia. This geopolitical tension is particularly visible in the South China Sea, Eastern Europe, and the Arctic, where these superpowers compete for control of vital resources and strategic territories. The return of this great power competition has made diplomacy more difficult, as national interests often clash. The growing military presence in key regions, such as NATO’s expansion into Eastern Europe or China’s militarisation of the South China Sea, has only intensified fears of a larger global conflict. Rising intentions to spread the religion peacefully, forcefully or via satisfying some greed. The next agenda is, once the religion is spread more than 30-35%, then try and capture the entire region by force and overthrow or convert or kill the other religion. Acquire all money and resources and move ahead to capture a new region. If such a mentality is not stopped, the entire world will be vulnerable to being destroyed or pushed into slavery, losing independence. The Middle East: A Volatile Hotbed of Conflict The Middle East remains one of the most volatile regions in the world. Decades of geopolitical struggles, fueled by oil, religion, and territorial disputes, have left countries like Syria, Yemen, and Iraq in a perpetual state of conflict. The intervention of foreign powers—such as the U.S. and Russia, and regional players like Saudi Arabia and Iran—has only added complexity to the situation. The rise of extremist groups like ISIS, Hamas, and Hezbollah has also contributed to instability, while shifting alliances and proxy wars continue to fuel tensions. The Middle East’s strategic location and vast oil reserves make it a focal point of global politics and, unfortunately, a fertile ground for conflict. Climate Change and Resource Scarcity Climate change is another increasingly important factor influencing global conflict. As the planet warms, countries face more frequent and severe natural disasters like droughts, floods, and wildfires. These environmental changes are straining resources like water and arable land, leading to competition among nations, communities, and ethnic groups. In regions where resources are already scarce, such as sub-Saharan Africa or parts of South Asia, climate change intensifies existing tensions, leading to severe unrest, frustration, and clashes over access to water, food, and land. Sometimes, politicians influence government decisions and pull creamy resources like water, medical facilities, educational facilities, and industrial and green revolution in their region that were initially planned somewhere else. This creates severe anger and clashes between the government and civilians The Rise of Dictatorship and Populism Around the globe, there has been a noticeable rise in dictatorships and populist leaders, often at the expense of democratic norms. Countries like Hungary, Turkey, and Brazil have seen a shift toward more autocratic governance, while other leaders—such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping—have consolidated power within their own regimes. In Pakistan, the whole power is with its army, which is influenced by foreign government decisions. Populism, characterized by nationalist rhetoric or influencers, often fuels an “us versus them” mentality, which heightens domestic and international tensions. These political movements can destabilize regional politics, as they frequently reject international cooperation in favor of protectionist and isolationist policies, creating clash between nations. The Role of Technology in Modern Conflicts Technology has revolutionised every aspect of life, including warfare. The rise of cyberattacks, misinformation campaigns, and the militarization of space has introduced new dimensions to global conflicts. Cyberwarfare, in particular, has become a major concern as state and non-state actors target critical infrastructure, steal sensitive data, and disrupt economies. In addition to cyberattacks, social media has become a powerful tool for influencing public opinion and mobilizing support for or against conflicts. Governments and non-state actors are increasingly using digital platforms to spread propaganda, manipulate narratives, and recruit fighters, making it harder to distinguish between truth and manipulation. Technology has also enabled attackers and bad influencers to raise money via digital platforms. Some businesses use such accounts to accept payments directly linked to the digital payment interface. Such money circulates several times in the market, making it extremely difficult to trace where it came from and where it went. The Decline of Multilateralism and International Institutions For much of the 20th century, international institutions like the United Nations (UN), NATO, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) significantly promoted peace and resolved conflicts. However, in recent years, multilateralism has been in decline. The rise of nationalism, coupled with an increasing reluctance by major powers to engage in global institutions, has weakened these organizations’ ability to mediate international disputes. Moreover, corruption and biased behaviour have questioned these organisations and the UN’s ability to safeguard various regions across the world. Please read my blogs on the UN and NATO mentioned below – The above blogs will clarify the objective, ability, who controls whom, and NATO vs. UN. They clearly state how these international organisations are doing and what they actually have to do. Even after knowing that Pakistan is a terror state, the IMF and World Bank have not stopped giving it loans, and no one in the world has confidence that Pakistan will repay the debt.

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Destabilising a Country: The Political Dynamics at Play

Introduction In the previous blog, we saw the different motives behind destabilising any country. Needless to say, those were just a few examples, and the motives could be endless. A good politician sees such opportunities and cracks the deal. All that you can read in my article is ‘Destabilizing a Country: The Political Motive at Play – PolyBlogger.com’. In the previous article, we saw ‘why’, and in this article, we will see ‘how’ one destabilises the country. The motive behind this article is just education, awareness, and knowledge; it is undoubtedly not to motivate anyone to commit offences. History has witnessed many kingdoms being overthrown from their roots because of such instability. This ultimately changed the demography and religion, and people fled the region forcefully, leaving all their ancestors’ legacy properties behind. Let’s see, one by one, the ways in which the political dynamics destabilize the country. Creating Internal Instability The simplest way to destabilise any country is to create internal unrest. When internal unrest occurs, the government comes under pressure either to leave the chair or to take a series of incorrect actions, which ultimately will overthrow the power. Internal unrest can be – This automatically raises questions about the country’s safety and security. Opposition parties often take advantage of such scenarios and try to create more unrest. The Role of Corruption in Destabilization Corruption is the most important and capable factor in unseating governments and eroding public trust. When leaders prioritize personal gain over the welfare of their citizens, the results can be devastating. All politicians must understand that their country should be their topmost priority. When dealing internationally, selfish motives should be the priority, not personal gains. How Corruption Breeds Unrest Corruption often leads to widespread dissatisfaction and disappointment among the common people. Here’s how: Case Study: Venezuela In Venezuela, widespread corruption has left its citizens in dire poverty, even as the elites prosper. The situation is so bad that people do not even have money to buy medicine. This country has an abundant oil resource. Petrol costs just $0.03 per litre in the country. Imagine if they will sell it internationally how rich they can. However, the sanctions over it have stopped their oil sale completely in the international market. The mismanagement of oil revenues and rampant theft of public funds have fuelled protests and unrest, further destabilising the nation. “Corruption acts as a disease that can spread through the veins of governance, weakening a nation’s structure from within.” Social Media, Mis Information, and Their Impact In recent years, social media have become a significant force in shaping political regimes worldwide. This is a medium to create internal or worldwide unrest. Often, media users portray themselves as a genuine informer and trustworthy source of news, which may be the case, but not always. In the digital age, misinformation can spread like wildfire, leading to confusion, fear, unrest, riots, and political instability. Whether deliberate or accidental, false information undermines national peace and cohesion. Consequences of Misinformation Misinformation can destabilize a country in several significant ways: Case Study: Consider the same news written in two different ways below and decide which is genuine and which is creating a lasting impact. While it may sound like both news are true, the second one is the best, giving maximum details. However, consider why it is incorrect to portray news in such a way Social media is used in such way that it will create unrest in the country and the riots, protests will take place. Information flows quickly and wildfires. Generally, such news is spread because a particular section needs government to change, and they want their pro-government. Foreign Intervention: A Double-Edged Sword The role of foreign intervention in a nation’s political affairs is often controversial and devastating unless the country is capable of handling it diplomatically. While some interventions aim to restore stability, others can inadvertently escalate tensions and chaos. Navigating Complex Relationships Foreign intervention can destabilise a country in several ways: Hamas and Hezbollah try to destabilise Israel, but it is not possible without the support of a third cunning country, Iran. Historic Case Study: Iraq The 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States aimed to remove Saddam Hussein and establish democracy in Iraq. However, the world saw increased regional violence, leading to years of conflict and instability that continue in the region, even today. “When foreign interests decide to intervene, they must tread carefully with proper agenda. Once the agenda is over, the country should exit, or the country intervened should be strong enough to ask the intervening country to leave.   Lack of agenda and poor exit timing can create ripples that last for generations. Conclusion Understanding the factors that contribute to political destabilization is crucial for grasping the intricate nature of governance. Internal instability, religious issues, Corruption, social movements, foreign intervention, and misinformation are all threads in a complex mechanism. To promote stability, nations must focus on transparency, engage with citizens meaningfully, and create and increase trust in governance. As we navigate the misty waters of politics, it is critical to remain informed and involved. By holding governments accountable and participating in the democratic process, citizens can contribute to a more stable and just society. People of the country understand what is best for them, but till the time they understand it, they remain in slavery or become victims. Government and citizens should walk hand in hand. Call to Action If you found this article insightful, please share it on social media to spread awareness about the dynamics at play in political stability. Sources:

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