Top 15 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Today

The conflict between the armed forces of Ukraine and armed separatist groups backed by Russia is widespread in both the eastern and southeastern regions of Ukraine - specifically in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea regions. Civilians continue to be caught in these conflicts. Ukraine has experienced a series of conflicts in recent years, since February 2014, particularly in the southern part of the country. Protests in Donetsk and Lugansk escalated into armed uprisings leading the Ukrainian government to launch a military counter-offensive against the insurgents. These conflicts have resulted in thousands of casualties.

With ongoing political instability. Four years ago, the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalated over the issue of control of Crimea and eastern Ukraine territories. Currently, this conflict is shifting to a new 'battlefield': the Sea of Azov. Nevertheless, Ukraine is a beautiful and unique country that ranks among the lowest-rated countries in Europe due to very few English speakers and difficulty in travel.

Index: 3,756 points

The three-year civil war in this country has claimed 150,000 lives, and the situation is worsening. Currently, about 4.5 million Syrians are internally displaced, and another 3 million are refugees abroad. Paulo Pinheiro, head of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, warned on September 14 that the future of the people of this Middle Eastern nation is 'increasingly bleak' due to the deteriorating economy and escalating conflict across the Northwest, Northeast, and Southern regions.

'The parties to the conflict in Syria continue to commit war crimes and violate human rights. The war targeting civilians in Syria still rages on, and they struggle to find a safe haven,' a UN official said. The UN Commission also expressed concern about Syrian refugees having nowhere to return to. As fighting erupts, Syrian government forces have re-implemented siege tactics to isolate rebel fighters, but this has trapped civilians.

In the Afrin and Ras al-Ayn regions of Aleppo province, 243 civilians have been killed in just a few months in bombings by extremist elements targeting markets and streets, while others have died in exchanges of shelling between rebels and government forces.

Index: 3,564 points

The conflicts in Afghanistan, starting from 2001, have been globally recognized. NATO and allied countries have engaged in the civil war in this country, emerging after the 9/11 attacks. Casualties could be counted in the tens of thousands. After more than a decade of military intervention to rebuild the nation, Afghanistan remains no better off due to constant threat and disruption from the Taliban and other terrorist insurgent groups.

According to the Costs of War project at Brown University, as of April 2021, this war has killed 171,000 to 174,000 people in Afghanistan; 47,245 Afghan civilians, 66,000 to 69,000 Afghan military and police, and at least 51,000 opposition fighters. However, the death toll may be higher due to 'disease, lack of access to food, water, infrastructure, and/or other indirect consequences of war.' According to the UN, since the Invasion in 2001, over 5.7 million Afghan returnees have come back to Afghanistan; however, as of 2021, 2.6 million Afghans are still refugees or internally displaced, primarily in Pakistan and Iran, and another 4 million Afghans remain internally displaced. Since 2001, Afghanistan has seen improvements in healthcare, education, and women's rights.

By 2021, after 20 years of US-led invasion of Afghanistan, after a series of relentless attacks, by August 15, 2021, Taliban forces had entered the capital Kabul from all directions, US military aircraft landed at the US Embassy in Kabul to evacuate US personnel and urgent destroy documents, also compared by some commentators to the Fall of Saigon moment in the Vietnam War.

Index: 3,579 points

Being the poorest country in the Middle East region, it is estimated that up to 45% of the population Yemen live below the poverty line. Additionally, this country is also the main base of operations for the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda and a host of ruthless human trafficking gangs. Fired 7 missiles into Saudi Arabian territory, with 3 of them hitting the capital Riyadh. However, 2 days later, while Yemen was ready to retaliate militarily, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a move indicating that Riyadh was shifting focus to humanitarian needs in the war. The prince handed over $930 million to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York - an amount equivalent to 1/3 of the UN's aid budget ($2.96 billion) in 2018.

This amount is part of a $1.5 billion aid package that Saudi Arabia committed to at the end of January, including reopening ports and 17 humanitarian corridors, mainly in Houthi-controlled areas, to facilitate aid delivery. Analysts believe that Saudi Arabia's aid is aimed at repairing the country's reputation rather than ending the war in Yemen, where Riyadh plays a decisive role. Indeed, Saudi Arabia has also hired US and UK PR firms to conduct public relations campaigns.

Index: 3,432 points

South Sudan is a separate country from Sudan, gaining independence in 2011. The region has endured internal conflicts for decades, with ethnic violence being a common pattern. The consequences have been numerous casualties. The civil war in this African nation erupted in late 2013 when forces loyal to then-Vice President Riek Machar clashed with those loyal to President Salva Kiir.

The conflict quickly escalated. As both leaders represent opposing ethnic groups, which have long-standing tensions and a history of violence, the political dispute rapidly turned into a full-scale ethnic conflict. Forces loyal to each side wielded weapons to massacre each other. In just the first week of fighting, over 1,000 people were killed, and another 100,000 were displaced.

Since then, both sides have committed numerous brutal acts. In late November 2016, United Nations experts made a 10-day trip to this country. What they witnessed was horrifying: widespread ethnic cleansing, burning of villages, signs of famine, and rampant cases of rape becoming so common they're normalized.

Index: 3,529 points

From 1991 to 2013, the nation of Somalia functioned without a government, resembling scenes from post-apocalyptic movies, with gangs freely killing, people living amidst violence and looting, and rape rampant. Even after independence, the situation didn't improve much as hoped. Despite gaining freedom from European colonial powers, most Somalis lack a clear national identity, seeing themselves as part of a clan or tribal group rather than as a nation. The six major clans in this country are Isaaq, Dir, Darood, Ogaden, and Rahanwayn. They are further divided into smaller clan groups, leading to frequent conflicts over interests and resulting in violence. The sense of their lineage being more important than territorial issues.

The one who altered this status quo was Siad Barre. He came to power as president after an almost bloodless coup in 1969. Once the supreme commander of the Somali National Army, Barre cultivated a cult of personality and ruled with an iron fist. But perhaps Barre's “highlight” was putting clans outside the rule of law, causing widespread anger. His tenure was also marked by a disastrous incursion into the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, souring relations between the two countries and burdening Somalia's economy immensely.

Index: 3,324 points

Ten years ago, a multinational force led by the United States unexpectedly bombed Iraq and launched a ground invasion, overthrowing the regime of President Saddam Hussein. That year's Iraq War is also known as the Second Gulf War (initiated by President Bush Jr.) to distinguish it from the Gulf War of 1991 (under the leadership of President Bush Sr.).

Regarding the impact of the Iraq War on the Middle East, it goes without saying. March 20th marked a bomb explosion that shook the region and it continues to cause chaos throughout the area. Violence is rampant. Formerly banned terrorist organizations have sprouted like mushrooms. Bloodshed in Libya, Syria, Yemen... has claimed millions of lives with no end in sight.

No agency has provided an accurate figure for U.S. losses in this war. However, according to many U.S. government statistics, Washington has spent about $6 trillion, roughly equivalent to one-third of the total GDP of the U.S., on the war in Iraq, with 4,497 U.S. soldiers killed and 32,223 wounded. According to some experts, the actual number of U.S. casualties is much higher. These are the largest casualty figures for the U.S. since the Vietnam War.

Index: 3,351 points

The Central African Republic ranks 9th in the index due to a series of coups and ethnic conflicts nationwide, with even the UN expressing concerns that violence could push the country to the brink of total genocide. The Central African Republic Bush War began with the uprising of the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) led by Michel Djotodia in northeastern CAR, after the current president of the Central African Republic, François Bozizé, took power in 2003. The rebellion quickly escalated into a major civil war in 2004. UFDR rebels fought against the CAR government forces and other rebel groups such as the People's Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD), the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP), and the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD). Tens of thousands of people were displaced due to instability, which continued until 2007, with rebel forces seizing control of several cities during the conflict.

In practice, during the implementation of the agreement, many conflicts arose between civilian groups and the Government of the Central African Republic. In a recent statement, the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC), one of the armed groups led by Mr. A. Darassa, stated that the agreement was 'threatened' if the Government did not change its position clearly. Meanwhile, the Democratic Front for the People of the Central African Republic (FPDC) announced that it would withdraw from the agreement in protest, citing the Government's failure to implement the signed provisions. Some armed groups also declared their withdrawal from the agreement due to dissatisfaction with the list of Ministers in the new Government.

Index: 3.296 points

Russia is currently facing numerous challenges and issues, including development not commensurate with its status and potential (unable to maintain the same level of development and superpower status as during the Soviet era, modern Russia, although a major power and a potential superpower, is still a developing country), high crime rates, high suicide rates, terrorism, ethnic conflicts, population decline due to gender imbalance and declining birth rates, alcoholism among men, corruption among leaders, and the impact of the 2014 financial crisis and economic, military, diplomatic isolation, sanctions from the United States, NATO, allies, and the European Union.

Reviving long-buried concerns from the Cold War era, President Vladimir Putin on February 27 ordered Russia's nuclear forces to be put on high alert. He stated that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) had made 'provocative statements' toward Russia and the West had imposed harsh economic sanctions on the country, prompting Moscow's reaction. The practical significance of President Putin's order is not yet clear. Russia and the United States usually maintain nuclear forces on land and submarines in a state of alert and readiness, but nuclear-capable bombers and other aircraft do not.

Index: 3.313 points

Following the massive influx of refugees from Rwanda and Burundi into Congo in 1994, a series of conflicts, violence, and horrific civil wars ensued. Each year, tens of thousands of people die from violence, with 71% of the population living below the poverty line and a per capita GDP of $400 (8.6 million VND). A politically unstable country, but like many African nations, it is rich in natural resources. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, corruption, exploitation, and resource extraction prevail. War conflicts have occurred frequently over the past two decades, killing over 5.4 million individuals and causing diseases such as malaria.

The M23 rebels used Rumangabo as a 'headquarters' during the 2012-2013 uprising. Seizing this base would mark the group's most audacious move since the Congolese army and the United Nations launched a pursuit campaign into neighboring countries Rwanda and Uganda at the end of 2013. Recently, M23 rebel fighter jets have regularly returned from Rwanda and Uganda to launch attacks inside the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to United Nations humanitarian agencies, fighting since May 22 has displaced about 26,000 people, including some who fled to Uganda.Index: 3.218 points

Libya, ranked 10th, is considered the most unstable country in the Middle East. Currently, due to the absence of the US Embassy in this country and the high risk of kidnapping for ransom of American citizens, hardly any American citizen can come here. Nearly 10 years after the downfall of President Muammar Gaddafi's government, Libya remains deeply politically divided and violence is escalating. The country currently has two governments with their own armed forces, one internationally recognized operating in the capital Tripoli and one in the East led by General Khalifa Haftar.

The government in Tripoli is supported by Turkey and Qatar, while the eastern government is supported by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and receives political support from the United States, Russia, and France. The rest of the country is torn apart by rebel Tuareg groups, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization, or rebel groups from Chad or Sudan, smugglers, and human traffickers. With a fragmented country but strategically important location and abundant resources like Libya, some experts even argue that the conflict in Libya is entering a dangerous phase.

Index: 3.275 points

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, relations between Russia and Turkey sparkled with a glimmer of hope and continued improvement. Both sides signed a series of agreements in the fields of manufacturing and energy. Annual bilateral trade reached $40 billion, making Russia Turkey's largest trading partner. 60% of Turkey's energy needs are supplied by Russia through gas supply contracts. Russian tourists flock to Turkey's Aegean coast, while Turkish construction companies also make significant investments in infrastructure construction in Russia.

The event of Russia's annexation of the Crimea Peninsula in 2014 and involvement in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine once again strained the relationship between the two countries. Once again, the name Crimea reappeared in the history of Russia-Turkey conflict. The confrontation between Turkey and Russia in Syria also pits NATO against Russia, as NATO-Russia relations have never been cordial. Therefore, when Russian fighter jets were shot down on November 23, Turkey immediately turned to the United States and NATO for support, cleverly shifting part of the situation for NATO and Russia to resolve on their own. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement about combating terrorism was made on August 27 at the inauguration of Istanbul's third bridge connecting Asia and Europe across the Bosphorus Strait.
Index: 3.013 points

Over the past two decades since the Kargil conflict, India and Pakistan have experienced clashes, skirmishes, and special operations. However, these clashes pale in comparison to the current events in terms of scale and level of danger.

Nuclear-armed superpowers are dangerously close to the brink of military conflict, and this conflict escalates rapidly. This is an important lesson that indicates that the notion of using nuclear weapons as a means to deter military conflicts also has its limitations. In terms of the number of nuclear warheads, India and Pakistan are roughly equal, with Pakistan having a certain advantage. However, in conventional weapons, India's superiority is significant.

Religious conflicts have plagued Pakistan for many years, with violence against certain religious groups still prevalent nationwide. The Pakistani government also restricts many freedoms of speech and prohibits foreigners from entering many locations across the country. Pakistan is currently facing many dark issues, including the exodus of its citizens, with 3 million Pakistanis currently seeking refuge in Afghanistan, extremist Islamic fundamentalism, belligerent military actions, and armed disputes on the border with India.

Index: 3.070 points

Since 2007, thousands of UN peacekeepers have come here to address violence issues in Sudan, but have hardly achieved any results. In 2013, 16 peacekeepers were killed in this country. Sudan hosts 3 million illegal refugees, with its authoritarian and militant government turning a blind eye to mafia gangs trafficking in humans.

Wars have marked the history of Sudan, especially civil conflicts and wars in the Darfur region. Human rights are ignored in this country, with ethnic cleansing and slavery occurring. Its legal system is governed by Islamic law. The conflict in Darfur erupted in 2003 when rebels from the ethnic black tribes fought against the Arab government of ousted President Omar al-Bashir, accusing the government of neglecting the political and economic development of the region. The Sudanese government carried out a stability restoration campaign, suppressing rebel forces, and bringing a period of calm to the region. UN statistics show that since 2003, about 300,000 people have died and about 2.5 million others have been displaced due to violence in Darfur, while tens of thousands of others are living in refugee camps like Kalma.

Index: 2.921 points

North Korea frequently appears in the media to depict a totalitarian situation under Kim Jong-un's control. International Amnesty often accuses the country of imposing restrictions on freedom and human rights that its people endure. Arbitrary detention, torture, and other forms of mistreatment leading to death and executions are not uncommon in this Asian country.

The U.S. State Department warns of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula following North Korea's series of nuclear missile tests in recent years, posing a significant threat to stability and security in the region. This poses a considerable risk for foreign tourists. The statement also cautions that any provocative military action near the land or sea borders between the two Koreas could lead to 'full-scale conflict and nuclear war.' This is the latest threat from Pyongyang targeting South Korea and the U.S. in recent days, raising international concerns that the situation is spiraling out of control.
Index: 2,985 points