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In 2006, six wars were fought (Sudan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Israel-Lebanon), and 29 other situations were deemed severe crises. In relation to the number of states in particular regions, the region which includes the Middle East and Northern Africa is suffering from the highest rate of high intensity conflicts of any region.
This study defines conflicts as the clash of interests over national values of some duration and magnitude between at least two parties (organized groups, states, groups of states, organizations) that are determined to pursue their interests and win their cases. Low intensity conflicts are nonviolent conflicts in which demands are articulated. Medium intensity conflicts are defined as crises in which at least one of the parties uses violent force in sporadic incidents. High intensity conflicts include both severe crises and wars where violent force is repeatedly used in an organized way.
This chart is courtesy of the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research [5], part of its 15th annual report analyzing trends in conflicts around the world, available for download at www.hiik.de/start/index.html [6].