When Will It End?

Were you ever convinced a conflict was settled, only to find out it’s still simmering under the surface? History’s full of these long-lasting conflicts that just won’t quit—even if it may seem like it's over. You’d think peace treaties and shiny official end dates would wrap things up neatly, but no—sometimes the real story is a lot more complicated. So, let’s take a look at 20 conflicts that aren't as “over” as you might have thought. In fact, some are still affecting the world in ways you wouldn’t expect. 

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1. Korean War

The Korean War may have ended in 1953 with a ceasefire, but the North and South remain technically at war. Moreover, the famous Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), one of the most fortified borders in the world, is a grim reminder that peace is still nowhere in sight. 

Maj. R.V. Spencer, UAF (Navy). U.S. Army Korea - Installation Management Command. on Wikimedia

2. Russo-Japanese War

The Russo-Japanese War wrapped up in 1905 with the Treaty of Portsmouth, signaling peace on paper. However, tensions reignited after WWII when the Soviet Union swooped in and annexed the Kuril Islands in 1945. A postwar peace treaty never followed, leaving the resource-rich islands in a chilly limbo.

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3. Falklands War

Argentina’s ongoing claim over the Falkland Islands keeps the conflict alive. Though the British emerged victorious, Argentina still contested British sovereignty. Despite diplomatic negotiations, the issue remains unresolved, making the Falklands War’s legacy far from over. 

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4. Israel-Palestine Conflict 

A conflict steeped in centuries of history, the Israel-Palestine dispute isn’t over by any stretch. Jerusalem’s contested status and the question of Palestinian statehood make peace talks seem almost impossible. Nations may broker deals, but the fundamental issues at the heart of the conflict refuse to be settled.

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5. Libyan Conflict 

Gaddafi’s fall in 2011 didn’t bring peace—just a power vacuum. Rival governments emerged in Tripoli and the east, with the eastern government based in Benghazi. Ceasefires come and go, yet chaos persists. Oil-rich territory, tribal tensions, and extremist groups keep unity a distant dream.

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6. Afghanistan War 

Afghanistan’s battle-ravaged terrain and fractious political scene leave any notion of resolution in limbo. After the U.S. military’s withdrawal in 2021, the Taliban’s rapid takeover has worsened instability and humanitarian crises, ensuring Afghanistan’s war-like status lingers on.

Lance Cpl. Jessica S. Gonzalez, U.S. Marine Corps on Wikimedia

7. Cyprus Conflict

Cyprus remains divided between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. The 1974 Turkish invasion, a response to a Greek coup, left an unresolved conflict. Efforts toward reunification have faltered, leaving the island split politically and culturally.

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8. Sri Lankan Civil War 

While the Sri Lankan government declared victory in 2009, ethnic tensions persist. The Tamils, who suffered during the war, continue to seek justice, and periodic flare-ups remind the world that the underlying conflict is far from truly resolved.

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9. Somali Civil War 

The Somali Civil War continues as different clans vie for power, making any semblance of peace elusive. Though it’s been decades since the conflict began, warring factions, including Al-Shabaab, still control parts of the country. 

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10. Western Sahara Conflict

When Spain left Western Sahara, a battle for control erupted between Morocco and the indigenous Sahrawis. The war might have slowed, but Morocco’s ongoing occupation and the Sahrawis' calls for independence make it clear—this conflict remains unresolved. 

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11. Chechen Wars 

The two famous Chechen Wars in the 1990s and early 2000s ended with Russian forces in control. However, the region remains restive. Moreover, resistance movements and occasional violence continue to flare up, particularly in Chechnya’s mountainous regions.

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12. The War In Donbas

The war in Eastern Ukraine, sparked by Russia’s annexation of Crimea, continues to rage in Donbas. Ukraine, a country supported by Western nations, faces Russian-backed separatists, which further leaves a clear resolution still out of reach.

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13. Colombian Armed Conflict

Colombia’s internal conflict, involving guerilla groups like FARC, paramilitary forces, and the government, remains unresolved. Although peace talks brought about a 2016 accord, violence continues in rural areas, with various factions rejecting peace deals.

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14. The Kashmir Conflict

Jammu and Kashmir’s status has sparked multiple wars and continues to be a flashpoint between India and Pakistan. Both nations claim the region. That’s why the Line of Control remains heavily militarized, ensuring the conflict endures even after decades of tension.

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15. Ethiopian Civil War 

This war saw the Derg regime fall in 1991, which made people think that the dust had settled. Spoiler alert: it hadn’t. Ethiopia still wrestles with ethnic tensions that explode into conflict. The Tigray War (2020-present) is just the latest chapter. The end? Not quite, as the war’s aftershocks keep shaking the region.

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16. Northern Ireland Conflict 

Northern Ireland may have signed the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, but don’t be fooled—it’s not all roses. Tensions between Catholics and Protestants bubble to the surface. While progress has been made, occasional skirmishes serve as a reminder that many issues are far from resolved.

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17. South Sudanese Civil War

The South Sudanese Civil War ignited in 2013, fueled by a fierce power struggle between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. Peace deals have come and gone, yet tensions still simmer. Sporadic clashes continue to erupt, keeping South Sudan locked in a cycle of instability and unrest.

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18. Thai Insurgency 

Imagine a simmering pot that never quite boils over yet refuses to cool down. This conflict, which escalated in 2004, has deeper roots in earlier unrest during the 20th century. Periods of calm seem promising, only for violence to flare up again, making it clear that peace is playing hard to get.

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19. Iraq War

You’d think the dust would’ve settled by now, right? The Iraq War “ended” in 2011, yet insurgencies and political chaos keep the country on edge. As if that chapter was never really closed, Iraq remains stuck in an endless cycle of conflict and uncertainty.

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20. The War In Yemen 

This one feels like a never-ending storm. What began in 2014 is still ongoing, with regional powers entangled in a complex web while innocent civilians suffer the most. Peace talks? They’re more of a repeated cycle of “maybe next time.”

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