In the recently released 17th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the world witnessed a concerning trend of deteriorating global peacefulness. The study, which ranks 163 independent states and territories, covering 99.7% of the world's population, revealed a 0.42% decline in global peacefulness. This marks the 13th deterioration in the last 15 years, with 84 countries showing improvement and 79 experiencing a decline in peacefulness in 2022.
The list of the most dangerous countries for 2023 is dominated by regions grappling with conflict and instability. Topping the list is Afghanistan, followed by Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Uzbekistan's 86th position out of 163 countries in the ranking indicates a moderate level of peacefulness, but the geopolitical landscape remains complex. With its neighbors experiencing varying degrees of peace, Central Asia is navigating a delicate balance between regional stability and global challenges.
Kazakhstan fares slightly better than Uzbekistan in the GPI, securing the 76th position. This suggests that Kazakhstan while facing challenges, is considered to have a relatively higher level of peace and stability compared to Uzbekistan. One of the elements contributing to their situation involves the anti-government demonstrations that occurred in Kazakhstan in January 2022. These protests triggered a series of human rights abuses by authorities, such as excessive force against protesters, arbitrary arrests and detentions, and the mistreatment and torture of individuals in custody.
Kyrgyzstan, with a ranking of 101st, falls behind both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in terms of peace. It indicates that Kyrgyzstan faces more significant challenges in maintaining societal safety and security. Kyrgyzstan has faced persistent political instability and challenges to its democratic governance since gaining independence in 1991. The Tulip Revolution in 2005, ethnic clashes in 2010, and disputed elections in 2017 and 2020 have marked periods of political upheaval. Frequent changes in leadership continue to raise concerns about the state of democracy in Kyrgyzstan. However, it's important to note that the situation is dynamic, and developments may have occurred since then.
Tajikistan shares a similar ranking with Kyrgyzstan, positioning at 102th, emphasizing that both countries in Central Asia confront comparable issues affecting peace. They are positioned lower in the GPI compared to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Turkmenistan, with a ranking of 100th, is relatively close to Uzbekistan in the GPI. Both countries share a similar assessment in terms of peace, though Turkmenistan is marginally ahead.
Afghanistan, currently ranked 163rd, is widely recognized as one of the most perilous nations globally. Its tumultuous history, enduring conflict, and heightened levels of violence contribute to this unfortunate reputation. A notable concern is the pervasive presence of extremist groups, exemplified by the prolonged and brutal insurgency led by the Taliban against the Afghan government over the past two decades.
The Russia and Eurasia region witnessed the most substantial decline in peace, driven primarily by deteriorating conditions in Ukraine (157th ranked) and Russia (158th ranked). Beyond these focal points, numerous other countries in the region also experienced significant drops in peacefulness. The conflict in Ukraine notably reverberated on a global scale, resulting in Ukraine and Russia registering the largest and fifth-largest deteriorations in peacefulness, respectively.
The GPI employs 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators, assessing peace across three domains: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the level of militarization. The most significant deterioration in peacefulness is observed in the Ongoing Conflict domain, where internal conflicts, relations with neighboring countries, and external conflicts have all recorded alarming deteriorations.
The overall decline in peacefulness, particularly in conflict-related deaths, emphasizes the urgency of addressing ongoing conflicts and fostering diplomatic solutions. The 96% increase in conflict-related deaths underscores the human toll of unrest and the critical need for global collaboration to promote enduring peace.
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