Countries

U.S. forces, together with NATO allies, invaded Afghanistan in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Over two decades international forces waged war, through military campaigns and special forces operations.

Following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion which toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, Iraq has experienced decades of instability including protracted battles against militant groups fighting an insurgency. A number of regional and international powers have also competed for influence in the country.

Israel has fought a number of conflicts in recent decades, including with Palestinian militant groups in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon – in each case leading to significant loss of life.

Israel has fought multiple conflicts with Hezbollah – an Iranian-backed paramilitary and political organisation in Lebanon – resulting in significant instability and loss of life.

Following the 2011 toppling of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising, Libya has seen significant upheaval and civil conflict.

Following the 9/11 attacks in the United States, the U.S. military conducted strikes and occasional raids against alleged Al-Qaeda-affiliated militants in Pakistan for more than a decade.

Consisting of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, the internationally recognised Palestinian territories have been under Israeli occupation since 1967. In recent decades Israel has fought a number of wars with Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups.

Somalia has seen a prolonged period of instability, resulting largely from the actions of insurgent group Al-Shabab. U.S. forces have been active in Somalia since 2007, supporting the Somali government in its campaign against Al-Shabab, as well as conducting drone strikes on other terrorist groups.

Beginning in 2011, Syria experienced a protracted conflict following a violent crackdown on popular protests against President Bashar al-Assad. Different armed groups were established in parts of Syria, including the so-called Islamic State, with multiple international parties conducting military campaigns in the country and tens of thousands killed.

Türkiye has fought a number of conflicts in recent decades, most notably in Syria and against Kurdish PKK fighters.

Ukraine has faced military insecurity since Russia’s annexation of Crimea and other territories in 2014, with a full scale invasion in 2022 leaving thousands dead and missing in what has become an entrenched and protracted conflict.

Numerous international forces have intervened in Yemen in recent decades, including US strikes against Al-Qaeda and a deadly Saudi-led air war against Houthi rebels. Since 2023, the UK, US and Israel have attempted to further destabilise Houthi forces after the group launched attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping routes in response to Israel’s war on Gaza.