How many wars are there in the world today? Here's where the Atlantic Alliance is most involved, even indirectly

In 2025, the world remains marked by a mosaic of conflicts, ranging from high-intensity wars to local crises with devastating impacts on civilian populations. According to estimates from research centers like ACLED and the CFR's Global Conflict Tracker, there are between 40 and 60 active war theaters, of which at least eight can be classified as “major conflicts” with more than 10,000 annual casualties.

The Atlantic Alliance, although not intervening with direct troops in most of these areas, plays a key geopolitical role through military, political, and strategic support, especially in crisis hotspots affecting Euro-Atlantic balances.

Global conflicts: a worrying landscape

Entering 2025, hopes for international stability after the end of the Cold War seem increasingly distant. Wars, armed clashes, and civil violence affect fragile states and major powers. According to data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) and the Institute for Economics & Peace, high-intensity conflicts – such as in Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, Ethiopia, Iran, and the Palestinian territories – continue to grow.

A significant increase

• In 2023, approximately 163,112 deaths were recorded due to armed conflicts, compared to 153,100 in 2022.
• In 2024, the deaths were 161,100.
• For 2025, similar or worse figures are expected.
• Children are particularly exposed: over 11,900 minors killed or maimed in 2024 (UN data).

Geographical distribution

• Middle East: Gaza, Israel, and Iran remain epicenters of long-term geopolitical tensions.
• Africa: Sahel, Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Horn of Africa pay a heavy human and economic toll.
• Asia: over 2,600 armed groups operate in Myanmar.
• Latin America: Mexico, Ecuador, and Colombia suffer widespread violence from criminal cartels.

The role of the Atlantic Alliance

NATO today faces complex and interconnected challenges, consolidating its role as a guarantor of collective security. In a global scenario marked by high-intensity conflicts and hybrid threats, the Atlantic Alliance has adopted a multidimensional approach to respond to crises, strengthen deterrence, and support strategic partners in various parts of the world.

The war in Ukraine

The transatlantic organization supports Kiev with supplies of advanced weapons (Patriot missiles, Abrams tanks, anti-aircraft systems), military training, and shared intelligence. It has also strengthened the eastern flank with over 40,000 soldiers deployed between Poland and the Baltic countries: the largest deployment since the Cold War.

Africa and the Mediterranean

In the Sahel, the Alliance monitors Russian and Chinese movements while supporting EU missions like EUTM Mali or Somalia. In the Mediterranean Sea, operations like “Sea Guardian” ensure maritime security.

Middle East and Red Sea

Although not directly present in the conflicts in Yemen, Gaza, and Iran, various member states participate in naval missions to protect trade routes from Houthi attacks and monitor tensions related to Iran's nuclear program. The United States has also militarily supported Israel, conducting targeted raids against Iranian nuclear sites.

The impacts of global conflicts

• Human losses: civilians and military personnel killed every year, with dramatic peaks in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, and Iran, where internal and external tensions have caused hundreds of casualties.
• Mass displacements: over 12 million displaced in Syria; 3.5 million in Myanmar; millions of refugees also from Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, where conflicts have forced many families to flee.
• Infrastructure collapse: water, electricity, and medical care increasingly inaccessible, particularly in conflict zones like eastern Ukraine, Gaza, and various Iranian provinces.

The Italian armed forces and the ongoing revolution

In the current defense landscape, Italy has taken a prominent position in the Atlantic Alliance thanks to a decisive and courageous shift. A choice that bears the signature of Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who has imparted a holistic vision to military reform by appointing, for the first time in Italian history, a paratrooper as Chief of Staff of the Army: General Carmine Masiello. His appointment marked a turning point, bringing an innovative and dynamic approach to the armed force and strategic resource management.

As Military Defense Commander, the choice of General Luciano Portolano has consolidated Italy's international projection. Under Crosetto's political leadership, deep reforms have been initiated focusing on rapid intervention, proactive defense, cyber-defense, and advanced technology. This has created a military scenario capable of making a concrete impact in complex geopolitical scenarios.

Conclusion

The escalation of global conflicts in 2025 requires innovative responses and greater attention from the international community. NATO remains a fundamental pillar for collective security, and Italy, with its current proactive vision, has established itself as a strategic ally capable of significantly contributing to the Alliance's operations. A path has been charted that aims to strengthen deterrence, support regional stability, and promote an integrated approach to future challenges. Anticipating today means protecting tomorrow, hoping for a future less marked by conflicts and more oriented towards cooperation among nations.