Global Violence Hits Record High in 2025, Report Highlights Israel’s Role
OSLO — The world recorded the highest number of state-based conflicts since 1946, with 65 such conflicts in 2025, according to a Norwegian study released on Tuesday. The report from the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) also noted that eight conflicts between states marked an 80‑year peak.
Israel was identified as “clearly one of the most aggressive countries in the world at the moment,” researcher Siri Aas Rustad told media. She pointed to Israeli involvement in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and against Houthi militias. The United States under President Donald Trump was also cited for escalating violence and trade barriers, contributing to a more polarized world with a dysfunctional UN Security Council.
Last year was the third deadliest since the Cold War, with around 245,000 direct conflict‑related deaths. Civilian deaths rose sharply to nearly 76,500, driven largely by the army‑paramilitary war in Sudan, where the siege of El‑Fasher alone is estimated to have killed 60,000 people.
Africa remained the most conflict‑affected region (29 conflicts), followed by Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe. Rustad described a relentless global pattern: “The world doesn’t get any break.”
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