Sounds Strategic

Armed Conflict Survey 2020: identifying major trends in modern armed conflict

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Episode notes

In this special episode of Sounds Strategic, Meia Nouwens and Antônio Sampaio discuss the major trends in modern armed conflict with contributors from the Armed Conflict Survey 2020, the annual review of the political, military and humanitarian dimensions of all active armed conflicts from the IISS.



Meia speaks with Virginia Comolli and Eleanor Beevor on the key features of this year’s edition. The book examines 33 armed conflicts and details their respective conflict groups, strategic implications and prospects for resolution. Virginia explains why the growing intractability and internationalisation of conflicts were chosen as two of the key themes in this year’s edition. Eleanor explores the perceived value of armed UAVs for non-state armed groups and how internal dynamics within conflict groups can influence their activities.



Antônio meanwhile chats with Tuesday Reitano from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime on the practical and political challenges of combatting human trafficking in and out of armed conflict.



The Armed Conflict Survey will be published on 27 May 2020. For more information on this year’s edition and how to register for the online launch event please visit the IISS website.



Date of recording: Tuesday 19 May 2020


Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.


Theme music: ‘Safety in Numbers’ by We Were Promised Jetpacks



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