war

War is organized armed conflict between political communities, typically involving states, coalitions, or non-state armed groups. It features sustained combat operations, mobilization of economies and populations, and aims to compel an opponent to accept political, territorial, or ideological objectives. War has shaped borders, governance, technology, and societies throughout history.

Causes of war are diverse, including competition over territory or resources, disputes over sovereignty, ideological or religious conflicts, power rivalries, and failures of diplomacy or deterrence. Relationships between allies, arms races, and misperceptions can escalate tensions into armed conflict. Types of war include interstate wars between states, civil wars within a country, proxy wars where external powers support opposing sides, insurgencies, and increasingly, cyber warfare.

During armed conflict, international humanitarian law seeks to limit suffering by protecting civilians and restricting means and methods of warfare. Core principles include distinction between military targets and civilians, proportionality of force, and precautions in attack. Combatants typically operate under different legal standards from civilians, and violations may constitute war crimes.

Consequences of war are profound and wide-ranging, including loss of life, injuries, displacement, economic disruption, infrastructure destruction, and long-term social and environmental damage. Wars can reshape political systems, generate refugees, and alter regional or global power balances. Endings come through negotiated settlements, military victory or defeat, or stalemates, sometimes followed by peacekeeping, transitional justice, and reconstruction efforts.

Scholars and policymakers study war to understand its causes, dynamics, and prevention, seeking to reduce the incidence of armed conflict through diplomacy, development, arms control, and conflict resolution mechanisms.