In 2023, a report revealed that more than three-fourths of European countries increased their military spending, reflecting concerns over Russia’s potential expansion of the war in Ukraine, making it the most peaceful region in the world.
The Global Peace Index (GPI) by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) highlighted a critical moment in global history, with 56 ongoing conflicts, the highest since World War II.
In 2024, a record 97 countries experienced a decline in peacefulness, marking the most significant deterioration since the report’s inception in 2008.
International conflicts have surged, involving 92 countries in external disputes, a historic high according to the GPI data.
Steve Killelea, the founder of IEP, emphasized the urgent need for governments and businesses to address minor conflicts promptly to prevent them from escalating into major crises.
While Europe boasts seven of the top 10 peaceful countries, 23 out of 36 nations in the region have witnessed a decline in peace.
Sweden, a recent NATO member, saw the most substantial peace drop in Europe, falling to its lowest ranking since 2008 at 39th place.
Across the globe, eight out of nine regions experienced a decrease in peace, with Russia and Eurasia being the only region to show improvement, despite setbacks in Russia and Ukraine.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict prompted a reevaluation of military readiness and spending in Europe, with 30 out of 39 countries reporting a decline in this area over the past year.
As the world faces current crises, the need for peace and cooperation has never been more critical.
Source from www.aljazeera.com