From the invasion of Ukraine to today’s border ceasefire in Southeast Asia, the global security architecture has undergone a period of unprecedented strain.
Here are all the wars and conflicts that grabbed headlines in the year despite some of them beginning a few years ago.
November 2021: M23 Resurgence in DRC
In the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the M23 rebel group launched a major offensive that continues to this day.
Allegations of Russian private military involvement and regional backing have complicated peace efforts, with heavy fighting reported near Uvira as recently as the morning of 27 December 2025.
24 February, 2022: The Invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine remains the anchor of global instability. What began as a "special military operation" has evolved into a grinding war of attrition. By late 2025, the conflict is increasingly defined by long-range drone strikes on energy infrastructure, leaving both nations grappling with severe power shortages this winter.
14 April, 2023: Sudan’s Civil War
A power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) plunged Sudan into a catastrophic civil war.
Despite multiple rounds of talks, the country remains divided, with the RSF controlling much of the west and the SAF holding the east.
7 October, 2023: The Gaza War
The Hamas attacks on Israel triggered a two-year war that fundamentally altered Middle Eastern diplomacy. A final ceasefire and hostage-release agreement were only finalised on 10 October, 2025, leaving a devastated Gaza Strip under a tentative international transitional authority.
1 October 2024: The Lebanon Front
Following a year of cross-border fire, Israel launched a ground invasion into Southern Lebanon to push Hezbollah forces back from the border. The "hot" phase of the war ended with a withdrawal on 18 February, 2025, though the Blue Line remains the most heavily monitored border in the region.
5 May, 2025: Israel and Yemen
Seeking to end Houthi interference with global shipping, Israel and a coalition of allies launched five months of intensive strikes on Yemeni port infrastructure. The campaign reached a "frozen" status following the broader Gaza ceasefire in October.
7 May 2025: India and Pakistan
A three-day crisis between India and Pakistan erupted following a militant attack in Kashmir. The brief but intense conflict, involving significant aerial dogfights and missile exchanges, was halted on 10 May following urgent diplomatic intervention by the UN Security Council.
The 12-Day War U.S./Israel and Iran
Commonly known as the "12-Day War," Israel struck Iran on 13 June triggering the the first direct, large-scale confrontation between Israel and Iran. On 22 June, the U.S. joined the fray with Operation Midnight Hammer, using B-2 bombers to strike nuclear enrichment sites at Natanz and Fordow. The conflict ended on 25 June, resulting in a major recalibration of Iranian regional influence.
24 July, 2025: Thailand and Cambodia
The conflict erupted on 24 July with airstrikes and artillery duels over contested border temples, killing dozens and triggering a brief, unstable truce by month's end. Fighting erupted again on 8 December, reigniting heavy combat that displaced over one million people at its peak. After three weeks of intense warfare, a comprehensive ceasefire was finally signed on 27 December 2025, to end the hostilities and begin the repatriation of refugees.
9 October, 2025: Afghanistan and Pakistan
Pakistan conducted a series of targeted strikes against TTP militants inside Afghanistan, leading to a ten-day border war with Taliban forces. Fighting ceased on 19 October, though the border remains closed to commercial traffic.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported...
The United States has added some of China's biggest technology and automotive companies, including Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and Nio, to a Pentagon list of ...
The Democratic Republic of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 100 lives, with health authorities warning that armed conflict and atta...
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry to the United States, preventing him from taking part in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and ending...
The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has been suspended pending a vote by member states on whether he should be removed fr...
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported that Trump had privately told Benjamin Netanyahu “be careful, or you will be on your own very soon”.
The United States has added some of China's biggest technology and automotive companies, including Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and Nio, to a Pentagon list of firms it believes are linked to Beijing's military.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 100 lives, with health authorities warning that armed conflict and attacks on aid workers are hindering efforts to contain the disease.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry to the United States, preventing him from taking part in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and ending what would have been a historic moment for Somali football.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million people for the next few years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is hoping to fend off challenges from several pro-Russia candidates to secure a third term.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party has won the Armenian elections, picking up nearly half the vote. With a majority in parliament, Pashinyan is set for a third term as Prime Minister. But an opposition politican has said he will challenge the election results.
The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections will determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone. Here's how it works.
Barcelona is preparing to mark a historic milestone in the legacy of architect Antoni Gaudí as Pope Leo XIV visits the city this week to inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família basilica, almost exactly 100 years after the visionary architect’s death.
Iran and Israel have halted strikes on each other, but Tehran has warned it will recommence attacks if Israel continues military action in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have meanwhile made pleas for peace.
Amid ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tension, 2025 became a year defined not only by confrontation but also by a series of diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing violence, easing humanitarian crises and opening paths to long-term stability.
In 2025, climate talks, security negotiations and trade diplomacy defined a year of high-level summits. Leaders met across continents to confront conflict, debate climate responsibility and shape global priorities. Some eased tensions, others exposed divisions, but all left their mark.
The year 2025 was marked by widespread protests and civil unrest across multiple regions, as citizens took to the streets to voice anger over political decisions, economic pressures, governance failures and social inequality.
The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, held in Tianjin, China, has been hailed as one of the most significant gatherings in the bloc’s history.
The long-standing rivalry between India and Pakistan over Kashmir reached a dangerous peak in 2025, as missile strikes, drone warfare, and rapid military escalation brought the two nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of full-scale war.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment