Due to air travel and modern technology, our world has become more compact and complex. Today, there are more military alliances through treaties. Treaties lock nations into cooperation, which can be good or bad. Cooperation promotes peace, but it can also create obligations that lead to assistance in times of war.
Just before World War I, many alliances were formed in Europe. France and Russia signed a mutual defense pact to counter the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy). Russia also positioned itself as an ally and protector of the Slavic nations to counter Austria-Hungary. After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Slav, a conflict developed between those two countries. Russia sided with the Slavs and entered the conflict. Soon Germany and Italy became involved. This created a chain reaction, with Germany invading Luxembourg and Belgium, bringing more of Europe into the war. World War II followed a similar pattern. Again, nations had formed alliances and treaties for trade and as a means of preventing war. Then Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931, drawing China into the conflict. Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1936, and Germany annexed Austria in 1938. These smaller conflicts soon spread, and nations felt obligated through treaties to become involved.
Around World War I, there were only 61 sovereign nations. Today, there are 195 nations that may share economic interests, security concerns and cultural ties with others. The world has experienced numerous major conflicts, such as the Korean War, Vietnam War and Gulf War. Many smaller conflicts have gone underreported in places like Sudan, Myanmar, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, West Africa (Sahel region), Colombia, Yemen.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Crystal River
