Actors and parties in conflict
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Flip to reveal answersWhat are the three groups of actors in a conflict?
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Question
What are the three groups of actors in a conflict?
Answer
Parties to the conflict (those fighting), third parties (outsiders who intervene) and non-combatants (people not fighting, mainly civilians).
Question
What are 'parties to a conflict'?
Answer
The actors directly fighting or in dispute — states (governments, armies) and/or non-state actors (rebels, militias).
Question
What is a non-state actor in conflict?
Answer
An organised group that is not a government — a rebel group, militia, insurgency or terrorist group — that takes part in the fighting.
Question
What is a third party in conflict?
Answer
An outside actor who intervenes without being a main fighting side — another state, an IGO like the UN, an NGO or a mediator.
Question
What are non-combatants?
Answer
People who are not fighting — civilians, refugees, aid workers and journalists — often the ones who suffer most.
Question
What is a mediator?
Answer
A neutral outsider who helps warring sides talk and reach an agreement such as a ceasefire or peace deal.
Question
How can third parties help END a conflict?
Answer
By sending peacekeepers to separate sides, mediating a ceasefire, and delivering aid and monitoring human rights.
Question
How can third parties make a conflict WORSE?
Answer
By backing a side with weapons, money or troops for their own interests, turning a local conflict into a longer proxy war.
Question
What is a proxy war?
Answer
A conflict where outside powers back opposing local sides to pursue their own interests, so they fight indirectly through others.
Question
Why do non-state actors make conflicts hard to end?
Answer
They may not sign or honour treaties, can hide among civilians, may lack one clear leader, and can be resupplied by outside backers.
Question
Why is external intervention rarely neutral?
Answer
Outside actors usually have their own interests, so they may take a side rather than act purely to help end the conflict.
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Actors and parties in conflict
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