Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

2025

Pages

1-19

Abstract

This article examines the resurgence of war in international politics after the Cold War. It contends that interstate wars have declined after 1990 and there was high optimism for stability and a cooperative international order, but contemporary conflicts have evolved into complex intrastate and asymmetric confrontations involving non-state actors, ethnic and religious divisions, resource competition, and geopolitical rivalries. The paper uses a constructivist approach and secondary qualitative data to identify and explore key drivers of this trend such as the rise of terrorist and insurgent groups, the politicization of identity, disputes over scarce resources, erosion of international norms, and intensifying great-power competition. The study highlights contemporary cases such as the Russian–Ukraine war, the Israel–Palestine conflict, and prolonged crises in Africa, from Rwanda to the Tigray region while also assessing the implications of the return of warfare that range from threats to global security, weakened diplomacy, humanitarian crises, economic disruption, environmental damage to shifts in power dynamics. The study recommends comprehensive, multilateral strategies that address root causes of confrontations, reinforce international law, and promote inclusive governance, sustainable development, and post-conflict reconstruction.

Rights

Included with kind permission from the authors.

ORCID

0009-0006-9633-0945 (Edmond)

Original Publication Citation

Edmond, C. & Forku, N. D. (2025). The return of war in international politics. 1-19.

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