BBCThis year has been particularly eventful for global security, especially since I started covering it for the BBC after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. From the fall of Syria’s President Assad to North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia, and British and US missiles being sent to Ukraine and fired at Russia, the world’s battle lines seem more interconnected than ever.
While this is not World War Three, President Putin uses the threat of it to dissuade the West from sending more weapons to Ukraine. The conflicts around the world have an international dimension, raising questions about how these battle lines intersect.
The war in Ukraine, which began in 2022 when Russia invaded the country, has seen various international players involved. North Korean troops joining the fight, Iranian missiles being sent to Russia, and Western assistance enabling Ukraine to resist Russian forces.
The complexities in the Middle East make the situation in Ukraine seem straightforward. From the unexpected departure of Syria’s President Assad to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Iran’s support for proxy militias, the region is a chessboard of conflicts.
In Gaza, the situation is dire with thousands of casualties and widespread destruction. Attempts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have failed, leading to continued violence and uncertainty about the region’s future governance.
Iran’s support for proxy militias in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, has further escalated tensions with Israel. The conflict between Israel and its adversaries in the region continues to fuel violence and instability.