Shifting interests and changing capabilities as a result of a weakening of the unipolar post-cold war security balance and the emergence of elements of multipolarity are clearly affecting the overall international order, even while levels of conflict remain relatively low.
Such involvement often has the effect of increasing casualty rates and prolonging conflicts. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of intrastate conflicts that are internationalized-that is, that have another state supporting one side or another. However, the relationship between states and conflict may be changing once again. Perhaps the biggest single factor that has shaped the significant global decline in the number of armed conflicts and casualty rates since the end of the superpower confrontation of the cold war has been the dramatic reduction in major powers engaging in proxy conflicts.
Nevertheless, deaths resulting from major organized violence worldwide remained at historically low levels. In 2011–12 conflict continued to be a major concern for the international community, most notably in the Middle East, western Asia and Africa, but also with increased levels of interstate tension in East Asia.
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