User:Ancienthistory/Intranational conflict

The tit-for-tat killings of tribes or clans, the desecration or destruction of a religious building, shrine or other structure, manipulation of electoral politics to favor a certain group, pogroms against a given ethnic group, militia warfare among given ethnic, religious or political groups, marginalization of any like groups. All these are by themselves, or in part, examples of intranational or intrastate warfare. Growing popular in the late 20th and early 21st Century, these conflicts have long existed, many times as the result of colonial powers playing factions aagainst one another with the intent of forestalling the formation of 'national liberation' entities, but have come to the fore in recent years as the various factions have grown more able to publicize their agendas. Argued with vigor and conviction by all sides, it can be quite difficult to distiguish the "good guys" from the "bad guys" if, indeed, the distinction may be made at all. In fact, intrastate conflict may be distinguished by the absence of any one group having a just claim in regards to the particular grievance. Quite unlike standard warfare, the definition of combatants, battle lines, grievances, objectives and other aspects of the war are not easily distinguishable. The original grievance(s) may be nearly lost in history, with only the mutual enmity remaining. In other cases, the cause of the grievance may be quite clearly defined, as with the combat between an elective (if not always legitimately so) government against a "national liberation" or "terrorist" movement.

Perhaps the most problematic aspect of any intranational conflict is the tendency of neighbors, international groups or alliances, or extranational organizations to become involved. This need not be actual intervention by such groups, but may take the form of training, arms supplies, logistical support or other assistance. Let us say that Group A and Group B are fighting over the ownership of a certain region of their nation. Group C provides equipment and training to Group A, while Group D does the same for Group B. In addition, Group E allows the basing of Group C on their territory in order for C to train A. This was a common occurence during the Cold War, where the great powers fought "proxy wars" within the borders of a third nation in pursuit of their national interests. In such a case, several agendas may be at work as the intratstate actors pursue their objectives, with the assistance of their benefactors, while possibly pursuing others agendas quite separate from those for which they are receiving the foreign aid - with or without the knowledge of their benefactors.

These proxy wars aside, this section will cover the various intratstate conflicts in which little or no outside influence is exerted. Some have roots deep in history, while others may be comparatively recent conflicts. Into this group fall the conflicts that followed the end of colonialism and the jockeying of various factions to form the recognized government of the newly independent nation. Also, governments (legitimate or not) may find themselves in conflict with a variety of internal actors seeking either the downfall of the current government, proper representation within that government, a change in the form of the present government, or some other internal goal or objective.

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