Global Conflicts: Iran, Ukraine & Dozens More Nations at War
The conflict in Iran, now entering its second week following coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel on February 28th, is rapidly expanding beyond the Middle East, with repercussions felt globally. The initial military campaign has triggered a series of retaliatory strikes and counterattacks, drawing in numerous nations and exacerbating existing tensions, including those stemming from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to reports, at least 43 countries, including the Palestinian territories, are currently experiencing some form of military conflict or are closely involved in ongoing hostilities. The escalating situation in Iran has directly involved 18 nations, with 13 having been targeted by military action within the past week.
Lebanon is bearing a particularly heavy cost. Following Iran’s call for solidarity, the Iran-backed Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel, breaking a previously established ceasefire. Israel has responded with intense strikes across Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut.
In the first week of fighting, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Cyprus – a member of the European Union – were all targeted by Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Most of these countries have actively engaged in intercepting these projectiles. Qatar, despite not being a party to the conflict, took the most assertive step by announcing on Monday that it had downed two Russian-made Su-24 fighter jets believed to be Iranian.
Following an attack on Cyprus, Greece and the United Kingdom deployed fighter jets to the region, reportedly intercepting multiple Iranian drones. President Trump has escalated rhetoric, warning that Iran “will be hit very hard” and signaling consideration of an expanded target list, stating that areas and groups previously not considered are now under review.
The conflict is unfolding alongside the five-year-long war in Ukraine, which has already drawn in numerous countries through military aid. Russia could potentially benefit from the distraction caused by the Iran conflict, according to analysts.
More than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed as a result of the fighting, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Crucially, American and Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other top officials. The Pentagon reports that the Iranian navy and air force have been effectively neutralized, with Israel and the U.S. Poised to gain complete control of Iranian airspace.
The situation in Syria remains volatile, even after the formal end of the civil war in December 2025. Ongoing clashes, fueled by ethnic and religious differences, continue to plague the country. Recent large-scale operations targeting Kurdish communities have further destabilized the region. Negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), representing Syrian Kurds, and the Syrian government have stalled, leading to territorial losses for the SDF. Radical groups like ISIS, along with Syrian government forces, continue to engage in low-intensity conflict. Israel and Turkey, along with a small contingent of U.S. Forces, maintain a presence within Syrian territory.
The situation in the Palestinian territories remains deeply fraught. The Gaza Strip is effectively divided into two sections by a “yellow line,” with Hamas controlling one side and Israeli forces the other. Despite a ceasefire, clashes continue to occur, and Israel continues to conduct airstrikes in Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are living in makeshift shelters amidst the ruins of their homes.
The West Bank experiences daily violence instigated by Israeli soldiers or settlers. International civil society organizations highlight the lack of mechanisms to protect Palestinian rights and describe the discrimination as “apartheid.”
Yemen continues to experience low-intensity conflict, with Iran-backed Houthis recently becoming targets of intense U.S. And Israeli airstrikes. The country is facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
Across Africa, at least six countries are experiencing military activity, while radical Islamist groups are fueling violence in four others. The internal conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has led to the deaths of thousands of civilians and the displacement of a significant portion of the population. The conflict has spilled over into neighboring Chad, which recently closed its border with Sudan following attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Ethiopia is also facing renewed tensions, with both Addis Ababa and Eritrea reportedly massing troops along their shared border.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, clashes between the army and the M23 rebel group continue, with both sides accusing each other of escalating the conflict. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels. Radical Islamist groups, including al-Shabaab in Somalia, Boko Haram in Nigeria, and ISIS in the Sahel region, continue to target civilians and security forces.
Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan flared up just prior to the escalation in Iran, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban of supporting anti-Pakistan militant groups. Pakistan Air Force airstrikes in Afghanistan led to a new dimension of military tension. Both sides claim to have killed hundreds of soldiers.
The relationship between Pakistan and India remains strained, with minor clashes reported along the border in February.
In Thailand, tensions with Cambodia persist following clashes last year over a border dispute. Recent reports indicate minor new clashes along the border.
The recent U.S. Operation in Venezuela, which saw the removal of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from Caracas to New York on January 3rd, has significantly heightened tensions with Cuba. The U.S. Has threatened Cuba with a similar operation, leading to a confrontation in which Cuban security forces reportedly shot down a U.S.-registered vessel, killing several individuals.
In Mexico, the death of a cartel leader last month triggered a wave of violence, with clashes between cartel members and Mexican security forces erupting in multiple cities, leading to airport closures and fear among tourists. Hundreds of people are killed annually due to cartel-related violence.