Issue Conflict cascades

Summary

This issue describes armed conflict spreading and compounding in ways that existing systems struggle to handle. UNDP observes that conflict is at record levels, with long-running crises from Ukraine and Gaza to Sudan, the Sahel and the Democratic Republic of Congo, some highly visible and others largely ignored. Much violence now happens beneath the level of formal war, through coups, proxy actions, violent protest, organised crime, cyber attacks and information campaigns. There are 59 active state-based conflicts, and the number of non-state groups using drones jumped from 6 to 91 between 2018 and 2023. Because conflicts cross borders and escape traditional peace mechanisms, they are harder to define and settle, raising the risk that fragile places deteriorate further.