Articles tagged with Civil Wars
A new report by Brookings Institution suggests the US can improve its role in partners' conflicts by clearly communicating goals and persuading allies to adjust their strategies. Dafna Rand's research identified missteps and misunderstandings that undermined America's ability to manage and influence allies' strategies.
The UCDP reported a record high number of armed conflicts between states in 2025, including eight interstate conflicts. The year saw the highest figure since World War II, with 65 conflicts resulting in over 244,000 fatalities, including a sharp increase in violence targeting civilians.
A new study by Bernard Capp reveals that refusing to doff one's hat was a potent act of political defiance during the civil war era, with elite men both adopting and resisting the practice. In contrast, an 18th-century Englishman's hat remained a powerful symbol of personal protection.
A new study by Binghamton University Professor Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm found that social media hashtags can help identify early warning signs of violence and amplify local voices. The research examined social media campaigns in Canada and Syria, analyzing over 5,000 posts tied to #TruthAndReconciliation and #SaveSyria.
A new study by Dr Irene Fernández-Molina from the University of Exeter reveals that EU legal ambiguity on the Western Sahara conflict is a significant disadvantage for the Polisario Front and its Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The study highlights how lawfare has been successfully used to challenge these ambiguities, leading to accu...
A McGill University study reveals that mothers who experienced sexual violence during the Rwandan genocide often struggled with feelings of guilt, while their children displayed remarkable compassion and empathy. The research also found that these children formed peer support networks to cope with stigma and discrimination.
A new study discovered that violence can alter human genes for generations, even in grandchildren who never experienced violence themselves. Researchers found epigenetic changes in the genomes of Syrian families affected by the Hama massacre and subsequent civil war.
Researchers reveal that contradictory findings on territorial self-governance and ethnic civil war risk are primarily due to variations in measurement definitions. The study highlights the importance of considering the nuances of data choice in understanding conflict resolution.
The UCDP recorded a record number of armed conflicts worldwide in 2023, with 59 conflicts involving states, and 20,900 deaths in non-state conflicts. The war in Ukraine was particularly deadly, with over 71,000 deaths, while the conflict in Israel resulted in over 22,000 deaths.
A new study reveals that international recognition played a crucial role in shaping Libya's conflict, with contact and support from other countries affecting political actors' identity, resources, and legitimacy. The study argues that non-recognition can create change and is geopolitically inevitable.
European societies prefer to accept younger, female, Christian asylum seekers who exhibit desirable attributes. Support for refugees has remained stable over time, with no apparent increase in polarization between left-wing and right-wing respondents.
Researchers at the Complexity Science Hub developed a mathematical method to analyze armed conflict data, identifying causal links between battles and predicting future conflicts. The approach, inspired by physics and biophysics, reveals how violence spreads like avalanches across Africa and can be applied to other armed conflicts.
The UCDP reported a 97% increase in deaths in armed conflicts to 237,000 in 2022, with Ethiopia and Ukraine being the deadliest conflicts. The number of active conflicts remains at a historically high level, with over 50 state-involved conflicts and 82 non-state conflicts.
Research says Syria's peacebuilding efforts must tackle the root causes of its failed state, including lack of inclusive governance and social contracts. The study also highlights the devastating impact of state failure on citizens, with widespread displacement, poverty, and food insecurity.
Researchers from Politecnico di Milano investigated water's role in conflicts, focusing on socio-hydrological conditions and unequal resource use. The study provides a new methodological approach to understanding natural resource conflicts, with potential applications for creating more accurate representations of socio-ecological systems.
A gold coin long dismissed as a forgery appears to be authentic and depicts Emperor Sponsian, who ruled Roman Dacia during civil wars. The study used scientific analysis to confirm the coin's authenticity, shedding light on Sponsian's history.
A new study found that forgiveness messaging from a respected Islamic sheikh significantly increased community members' willingness to accept demobilized Boko Haram fighters back into their community. The study, conducted in northeastern Nigeria, showed that 70% of participants who heard the forgiveness messaging were willing to have t...
A new study published in Nature Food found that long-running wars are the primary driver of rising hunger in Africa, displacing people, raising food prices, and blocking aid. Droughts have played a smaller role in exacerbating food insecurity, with their impact remaining steady or even decreasing over time.
A new study reveals that civil wars have a negative impact on native mammal populations, with increased access to automatic weapons and suspension of anti-poaching patrols leading to population collapse. The authors warn that restoring depleted wildlife populations may take many decades and require active intervention efforts.
A research team at the University of the Basque Country is using genetic analysis to identify human remains from the Spanish Civil War and dictatorship. By comparing DNA samples from remains with those from family members, they are able to determine the profile of the remains and gather enough information to enable identification.
Research by Jack Paine finds that precolonial political organizations are a key factor in postcolonial conflict, with nearly 80% of major ethnic groups involved in civil wars. The analysis suggests that countries with pre-colonial state groups are more likely to experience violence.
A new study finds that extracts from three Civil War-era plants have antimicrobial activity against multi-drug resistant bacteria, which were commonly used in treating wound infections. The research suggests these plant-based remedies may have saved limbs and lives during the war.
Researchers aim to identify effective strategies for reducing violence in internationalized civil wars, which have the most fatalities and are difficult to resolve. The project will analyze conflict management approaches, create a barometer to measure changes in conflict levels, and provide policy recommendations.
A new study has found that 58% of people displaced following the civil war in Sri Lanka have suffered from mental health problems. The research, led by Dr Shannon Doherty at Anglia Ruskin University, also highlights the significant unmet mental health needs in the region.
A new study on Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park shows that the loss of top carnivores can have far-reaching consequences for prey and plant populations, turning 'landscapes of fear' into 'landscapes of fearlessness'. However, carnivore restoration in these areas could help reverse any ill effects of human activity.
A free software platform called Photo Sleuth uses crowdsourcing to identify faces in Civil War-era photos, with over 85% of proposed identifications being correct. The database now contains over 4,000 registered users and more than 8,000 photos, making it a valuable tool for historians and genealogists.
A new study establishes a link between climate change, conflict, and migration for the first time. The research found that specific circumstances can lead to increased migration through causing conflict, particularly in regions with poor governance and scarce resources.
Research shows that armed groups in Colombia influenced local officials to implement policy preferences, weakening government institutions. The analysis found a strong connection between violence by armed groups and differences in property rights and taxes.
Researchers compared ancient Peruvian trepanation outcomes to those during the American Civil War and found a significant difference in mortality rates. The study suggests ancient Peruvians may have prevented infection through unknown methods, leading to better survival rates over time.
Researchers used network analysis to re-examine medieval texts and found a negative value suggesting an Irish versus Viking conflict, contradicting revisionist historians' views. The study provides new insights into the complex picture of relationships during this period.
A new study published in Political Geography finds no sound evidence that global climate change sparked the Syrian civil war. The research instead suggests that economic factors and droughts may have played a more significant role in the conflict's onset.
A new study finds that children born of wartime rape in northern Uganda often endure post-war violence, stigma, and social-exclusion. The children, aged 12-19, reported feeling safer during the conflict and experiencing greater family cohesion within the rebel group.
A new UT Dallas study concludes that settling territorial conflicts has a greater impact on rival nations' relations than democratization or ending civil wars. Nations with settled boundaries are 30% more likely to be at negative peace, which reduces the risk of transitioning back into contentious relationships.
New data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program reveals that fatalities in organized violence decreased to less than 118,000 in 2015, ending an alarming trend of increases since 2011. The rise in conflicts involving states and non-state actors continued, driven by the civil war in Syria.
A new study in Sierra Leone found that short reconciliation ceremonies helped communities recover from civil war, increasing trust and public goods contribution. However, the process also had negative effects on individuals' anxiety and depression, suggesting policymakers need to restructure such processes to reduce psychological costs...
A new study published in Science suggests that post-conflict reconciliation programs promote social cohesion and forgiveness of perpetrators, but at the cost of reduced psychological health. The study found that these programs worsened depression, anxiety, and trauma, while improving trust and social network strength.
Geologists explore how various rock types, particularly carbonates, influenced Union and Confederate commander's decisions. The rolling terrain of Gettysburg and other battlefields was limited by carbonate rocks, which provided natural defensive positions.
Research suggests that those who experienced violence during the Guatemala Civil War are four times more likely to suffer from PTSD and alcohol-related disorders. The study, led by Victor D. Puac-Polanco and Charles C. Branas, found significant mental health problems among Guatemalans who witnessed or experienced violent events.
A new study has found that oil interests are a primary motivator for third-party countries to intervene in civil wars, challenging common conspiracy theory explanations. The research analyzed data from over 69 countries and revealed that countries with significant oil reserves were more likely to be targeted by foreign intervention.
Researchers link decline of Assyrian civilization to population growth and droughts, drawing parallels with Syria and Iraq today. The study found that a severe drought in the 7th century BC weakened the empire's ability to withstand subsequent climate-related challenges.
Despite government promises, satellite analysis shows no significant increase in civic facilities in Sri Lanka's Valikamam High-Security Zone. The area has seen a sharp increase in residential housing-type structures and development.
A new study by Jakana Thomas found that terrorism can work in civil wars, but only if governments allow it to, and that responding with violence prolongs the conflict. The study suggests that negotiating with rebel groups or finding peaceful settlements can lead to a better chance of resolving the conflict.
Researchers found significant changes in Cherokee skulls reflecting environmental stress, with head length decreasing over time. The study highlights the role of historical events in shaping physical characteristics.
A new study by Michigan State University's Michael Colaresi suggests that foreign aid from rival nations can create mistrust among citizens and hinder the establishment of democratic governments after civil wars. Only one country, Algeria, bucked this trend by becoming more democratic in the following decade.
A Baylor University study finds that Libyan civilians trained by American mental health professionals experience significant healing through peer-led groups, leading to a dramatic reduction in symptoms. The approach has implications for other countries with limited access to mental health services.
Researchers credit adaptability and flexibility in Sri Lanka's malaria control program with its success in reducing cases by 99.9% since 1999. The program adapted to protect displaced populations and distributed long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, sustaining key prevention and surveillance activities.
A University of British Columbia study reveals a 50% decline in elephant populations in eastern Congo over the last decade, primarily caused by human conflict and poaching. Conservation efforts with international support have shown to be effective in protecting these animals.
A new analysis of census data estimates that 750,000 soldiers died in the American Civil War, a 20% increase from the commonly cited figure of 620,000. This reevaluation is based on a more detailed comparison of male and female survival rates using historical census data.
The Great Dismal Swamp was once a human refuge for Indigenous Americans, runaway slaves, and others. Researchers have uncovered evidence of maroon communities that thrived there from the 1600s to 1860, highlighting the swamp's role as a sanctuary since 1800.
A UCLA study of U.S. Civil War veterans reveals that strong unit cohesion provides a protective effect against stress-related illnesses, with men from cohesive companies living up to six years longer than those from uncohesive ones.
A recent Brigham Young University study found that the Pension Bureau approved applications from uninjured white veterans at twice the rate of approval for uninjured black veterans. Black veterans faced significant challenges verifying their chronic illnesses, leading to lower approval rates.
A new study finds climate change could boost the incidence of civil war in sub-Saharan Africa by over 50 percent. Rising temperatures and crop failures may lead to huge potential costs to human livelihoods, with some regions experiencing a 55% increase in conflict likelihood by 2030.
A new study on Sudanese refugee children separated from their parents during the civil war reveals that they employed various coping mechanisms to deal with uncertainty. The children turned to peers for information about their families and formed alternative families within the camps, showing resilience in the face of adversity.
A study examines the connection between Civil War battlefields and casualties, finding that geology plays a significant role in determining fighter outcomes. Researchers discovered areas with favorable terrain and unfavorable geology resulted in distinct casualty rates.
This study analyzed Civil War data on 15,027 soldiers, finding strong relations between traumatic exposure, comorbid disease, mental health ailments, and early death. Younger soldiers were more likely to show signs of physical and mental disorders, as well as cardiovascular disease alone.
Researchers analyzed over 15,000 Union veterans' records, finding a strong link between war experiences and increased signs of cardiac, gastrointestinal, and nervous disease. Youngest soldiers who witnessed the bloodiest combat had shorter life spans, despite surviving the war.
Kleinerman's research highlights three key findings: the necessity test, extraordinary circumstances, and the separation of personal feelings from official duty. These lessons are crucial in understanding the proper role of executive power in a constitutional system during crisis situations.
The Charleston earthworks, built in 1862-1863, are gradually eroding at a rate of about five millimeters a year. Researchers have been documenting the pattern and rate of this degradation to better understand natural hillslope evolution.
The Lancet's editorial highlights the connection between economic instability, poverty, and the risk of civil conflict. The World Bank and WHO reports support this warning, emphasizing the need for collective action to avoid repeating past century's evils.
The new Civil War Newspapers website will feature scanned documents of selected newspapers from both North and South, providing detailed indexes and a comprehensive master index. This project aims to provide a valuable resource for historians, allowing them to access a vast amount of information on various topics related to the era.