An Era of Intensification and Fragmentation
The year 2025 is defined by a historic peak in state-based conflicts, the worsening of long-running wars, and severe degradation of international security. This dashboard provides an interactive overview of the key theaters, humanitarian impacts, and geopolitical forces shaping this volatile landscape.
A Historic High in Global Violence
Data from leading institutions reveals a disturbing trend: the world is experiencing levels of violence unseen since the mid-20th century. The number of distinct conflicts has surged, driven by both new wars and the dramatic worsening of existing ones.
61
Active State-Based Conflicts
(Highest since 1946)
+25%
Increase in Conflict Events
(2024 vs 2023)
+31%
Increase in Civilian Deaths
(From targeted violence in 2024)
State-Based Conflicts Over Time
Epicenters of Major Warfare
While conflict is widespread, several theaters stand out for their scale, intensity, and geopolitical implications. Select a conflict below to explore its dynamics and compare its human cost against other major crises.
Comparing the Human Cost
A Global Humanitarian Catastrophe
The proliferation of conflict has pushed aid systems to their breaking point, with record displacement and the return of famine as a weapon of war. Click on the chart segments to learn more about the world's largest displacement crises.
Forcibly Displaced Persons by Crisis (Top Regions)
Select a region on the chart
Click a segment of the donut chart to view detailed information about the humanitarian situation in that region, including the number of people in need, displacement figures, and the state of the humanitarian response.
Geopolitical Flashpoints & Risks
Intensifying rivalries between major powers are an active driver of instability. The following table, based on the Council on Foreign Relations' 2025 survey, outlines the top-tier contingencies threatening U.S. interests and global stability.
| Tier I Contingency | Likelihood | Impact on U.S. Interests |
|---|---|---|
| Israel-Hamas war continuation and deepening crisis in Gaza | High | High |
| Increased conflict in the West Bank | High | High |
| Major Russian military gains in Ukraine | High | High |
| Escalation of conflict between Iran and Israel | High | High |
| Intensified Chinese pressure on Taiwan | Moderate | High |
| Disruptive cyberattack on U.S. critical infrastructure | Moderate | High |
| Aggressive Chinese actions in South China Sea | Moderate | High |
| Failure of stabilization in Haiti, accelerating state collapse | High | Moderate |
The Evolving Character of Modern Warfare
Conflict in 2025 is being reshaped by new technologies and the revival of old strategies, creating a paradoxical military landscape that combines hyper-advanced systems with cheap, mass-produced weapons.
The Drone Revolution
Inexpensive UAVs have democratized airpower, allowing non-state actors to challenge major powers. Ukraine alone is expected to produce over 2.5 million drones in 2025, highlighting their tactical importance but also their strategic limitations in holding territory.
AI & Cyber Warfare
AI is enhancing targeting and intelligence, while AI-powered cyberattacks grow more sophisticated. The global economic cost of cybercrime is projected to hit $10.5 trillion in 2025, and the world is moving closer to the operational use of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems.
Return of Industrial Warfare
The war in Ukraine has heralded the return of grinding, attritional warfare. Victory is now directly correlated with defense-industrial capacity—the ability to mass-produce munitions—exposing vulnerabilities in Western defense bases optimized for smaller conflicts.