Power Plays and Unresolved Conflicts Across the Global

1. A Fragmented World Order: Rising Multipolar Rivalries

• China’s Ascent and the ‘Axis of Upheaval’
  At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, President Xi Jinping heralded a vision for a new global governance model—one rooted in multipolarity and an alternative to perceived Western hegemony. Joined by leaders like Putin and India’s Modi, Xi called for an SCO development bank and an AI cooperation center, signaling strategic moves to recalibrate global power dynamics.
• A New Axis Emerges
  A groundbreaking meeting in Beijing between China, Russia, and North Korea marked a deeper alignment. Analysts dubbed this the emerging “Axis of Upheaval”—a bloc positioning itself squarely against Western alliances.

2. Conflict Hotspots: Fires Still Burning

• Eastern DR Congo (DRC)
  The M23 rebel offensive, backed by Rwanda, captured major cities like Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. Despite UN condemnation and EU sanctions, peace remains elusive as ceasefires collapse and negotiations stall, making this one of the most volatile zones in Africa.
• Sudan, Myanmar & Ukraine: Displacement Crisis
  Ongoing wars in Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine have displaced over 122 million people, while humanitarian funding plummets, deepening the global crisis.
• Israel–Hamas Conflict & Middle Eastern Tensions
  The fragmented peace between Israel and Hamas continues to flare, with renewed airstrikes and ceasefire failures. The region remains a significant source of instability.
• Yemen & the Red Sea Threat
  The war in Yemen rages on, exacerbated by Houthi attacks on maritime traffic, disrupting global trade. Peace efforts remain stalled amid fragmented regional alliances.

3. Humanitarian Toll and Rising Violence

• Global Violence on the Rise
  Reports indicate a 25% global increase in political violence, with one in eight people exposed to conflict in 2024. The number of armed conflicts now stands at its highest since WWII.
• Sexual Violence Surges
  UN data reveals a 25% rise in sexual violence in conflict zones during 2024, especially in places like Congo, Sudan, and Haiti. The real scale of these atrocities is likely far greater than reported.
• Poverty Concentrated in Conflict Zones
  The World Bank warns that by 2030, 60% of the world’s extremely poor will reside in conflict-affected nations. Annual GDP per capita losses may reach 20% due to prolonged instability.
• Resource Conflicts Intensify
  Globally, water-related violence is surging, with the Middle East—especially Gaza and the West Bank—accounting for almost 25% of such incidents in 2023, as key infrastructure is destroyed amid climate stresses.

4. Technological Fragmentation & Warfare Evolution

• The ‘Great Fragmentation’
  The Global Peace Index shows global peace at its lowest since World War II. Conflicts are more internationalized and technologically driven, with 59 state-based wars ongoing and peace investments stagnating.
• New Warfare Dynamics
  Hybrid warfare—integrating drones, cyber tactics, and asymmetric threats—is reshaping conflict zones, making wars more prolonged and less predictable.

5. Global Voices & Public Perspective

Reddit discussions reflect public anxiety and insight:

“Global tensions have been rising for years… the Middle East is considerably less stable now…”
— On heightened fears of global conflict.

“Putin is stoking unrest elsewhere to distract the West while advancing in Ukraine.”
— On contemporary geopolitical strategy.

Summary Table: Global Power Plays & Conflict Landscape

Final Thoughts

Today’s world is defined by fragmented power structures, unresolved conflicts, and mounting humanitarian crises. As geopolitical rivals coalesce and conflicts grow more entrenched, the stakes for diplomacy, resilience, and peacekeeping have never been greater.