In the shadow of the Middle East and Ukraine: this is where the next wars loom

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The world is watching the fighting in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine with concern. But there are even more problem areas in the world. Dictators could use the situation to forcibly assert their own interests in the shadows of attention. The states that would normally intervene are currently fully focused on Ukraine and the Middle East, writes the Tagesspiegel. There is a threat of geopolitical changes.

The escalation in the Armenian exclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in September could only be the beginning of a larger conflict. 120,000 Armenians were expelled from the settlement area. But the shock of such ethnic cleansing did not materialize. Now the government of Azerbaijan could already focus on the next region: the exclave of Nakhchivan. However, you can only reach the area by land by crossing Armenia or Iran. Azerbaijan will not trouble Iran, but Armenia is still weakened by the recent conflicts and is currently no longer protected by Russia.

However, a military attack could also involve other countries in the conflict. Turkey stands behind Azerbaijan, while Armenia is increasingly protected by Iran.

Further south in the Caucasus, another conflict is taking place that threatens to escalate. The two Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are occupied by Russia and are considered autonomous regions. They are protected by the Russian army. Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin (71) could be next to annex the regions in Georgia.

Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Serbia has increased its forces on the border with the Republic of Kosovo. EU attempts to mediate between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti failed.

There are several hotspots on the African continent. After military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Gabon, democratic governments were overthrown and the regimes joined Moscow under the influence of the Wagner group. More coup attempts could follow in West Africa, increasing the influence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

For Chinese President Xi Jinping (70), Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. The island nation is located 180 kilometers east of China and considers itself independent. Taiwan repeatedly accuses China of violating its airspace or getting too close to the island with military ships.

Taiwan receives support from the US. But how much capacity does the US have for further conflict? China wants to create facts in the South China Sea and defend its own interests. This also causes problems for the Philippines. Just a few days ago, Chinese ships clashed with the Philippine Coast Guard. Manila accuses Beijing of deliberately targeting the coast guard. (jwg)

Source: Blick