The State of Conflict and Violence in Asia

Trends and implications of conflict in some of the world’s most fragile and volatile places

In response to critical gaps in existing conflict data, The State of Conflict and Violence in Asia presents a concise, evidence-based overview of violence in 14 Asian countries, including some of the most complex places in the world. Drawing on The Asia Foundation’s own long-standing experience in each country, the volume reports historical patterns and current trends in conflict and violence, combining analysis of published materials with in-depth knowledge and nuanced understanding of local politics and power. Required reading for policymakers, development practitioners, security analysts, and business leaders, this book provides an accurate and timely picture of conflict, violence, and peacebuilding in Asia today. Watch the launch presentation in Washington, DC.

Five Emerging Patterns

1	Politicization of ethnic/religious identities leads to violence, creates risks

4	Development, urbanization will increase violence in coming decade

2	Conflict affects every country

3	National stability has come at the price of rising subnational, local violence

5	Gender-based violence is widespread and its impacts significant

Drawing on The Asia Foundation’s long-standing experience in each country, this volume reports key historical trends and five emerging patterns in conflict, combining analysis and in-depth knowledge of local politics and power.

Five Emerging Patterns

Drawing on The Asia Foundation’s long-standing experience in each country, this volume reports key historical trends and five emerging patterns in conflict, combining analysis and in-depth knowledge of local politics and power.

Five Emerging Patterns

Drawing on The Asia Foundation’s long-standing experience in each country, this volume reports key historical trends and five emerging patterns in conflict, combining analysis and in-depth knowledge of local politics and power.

1	Politicization of ethnic/religious identities leads to violence, creates risks

2	Conflict affects every country

3	National stability has come at the price of rising subnational, local violence

4	Development, urbanization will increase violence in coming decade

5	Gender-based violence is widespread and its impacts significant

Read expert insight on:

“We’re talking about a country in which there are 16, 18 different major ethnic conflicts. We’re talking about decades of significant infighting among major political groups. So it’s really hard to come out of all of that and be able to have a productive conversation about what is the new Myanmar and not be caught by the history of division and fears.”

Kim Ninh

Asia Foundation Country Representative, Myanmar

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“Historically, if there were conflicts in the region, then Afghanistan, due to weak state leadership and state control, has by default become a safe haven for insurgents.”

Abdullah Ahmadzai

Asia Foundation Country Representative, Afghanistan

Five critical implications emerge from these findings, essential knowledge for business leaders, policymakers, government officials, security analysts, diplomats and development practitioners.

Five Critical Implications

1	Understand the history and politics

4	Confront cross-border drivers of conflict

2	Target hot spots, but remain alert to risks elsewhere

3	Generate better data via local violence monitoring systems

5	Focus on building rule of law

Five Critical Implications

Five critical implications emerge from these findings, essential knowledge for business leaders, policymakers, government officials, security analysts, diplomats and development practitioners.

Five Critical Implications

Five critical implications emerge from these findings, essential knowledge for business leaders, policymakers, government officials, security analysts, diplomats and development practitioners.

1	Understand the history and politics

2	Target hot spots, but remain alert to risks elsewhere

3	Generate better data via local violence monitoring systems

4	Confront cross-border drivers of conflict

5	Focus on building rule of law

“In Sri Lanka it takes on different meaning because of the conflict over the years. The impact that language has in terms of keeping people apart. The impact of state society relations and whether different communities have access to the same resources and have opportunities as citizens.”

Dinesha De Silva

Asia Foundation Country Representative, Sri Lanka

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