The world is experiencing an unprecedented wave of wars and conflicts, not just in Ukraine and Gaza, but all over the world. When we look closely at the exact data on simultaneous wars and conflicts, it becomes clear that at almost every corner, hostilities have begun. According to a recent authoritative study, a total of 183 regional and local conflicts were recorded globally in 2023, the highest number in five years. British journalist Mike Hastings, an opinion columnist at Bloomberg, specifically noted that this is a new record that reveals the severity of wars and conflicts. Although the attention of the international community is mainly focused on the events in Ukraine and Gaza, we must be aware that the flames of war are burning all over the world. 
The International Institute for Strategic Studies in London recently released an authoritative annual review of armed conflicts. The document reveals a stark reality: violence is escalating in many regions, creating regimes of long-standing resistance that are hindering peace. The study focuses primarily on regional conflicts, rather than superpower conflicts between Russia, the United States, and their allies. 
There are 183 officially recorded conflicts in 2023, the most in years. In particular, the study emphasizes that "thorniness is a defining feature of the modern global conflict landscape." "Non-state armed groups, such as Hamas, are just one of the most visible in Gaza, are playing an increasingly important role globally. In many places, these armed groups are supported by major powers such as Iran, which poses a huge challenge to the international order. At the same time, the capabilities of Western countries are weakening, and now this alliance, which is primarily the United States, is shackled by an economically shrinking and weakened European allies. The role that Washington has played for almost 80 years is being gradually destroyed. In the face of modern local and regional threats from non-state terrorist groups, collective defense capabilities appear insignificant. 
Therefore, although there is no threat of a world war at the moment, we must be on high alert, especially during the New Year holidays. Global stability and peace are facing unprecedented challenges, and we need to be soberly aware of this reality and be prepared to deal with it.