LIST OF 10 GLOBAL DISPUTES

1.

KURIL ISLANDS:

The dispute between Japan and Russia over the islands of Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan, and
the Hobomai. The South
Kuril Islands were annexed by the Soviet Union in 1945 during the
Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation. The
Islands are under Russian administration
in the Sakhalin Oblast region and are claimed by Japan as its Northern
Territories. The
dispute is the reason why Japan and Russia have not signed a peace treaty formally ending the
World
War II hostilities.

2.

CRIMEA:
In 2014, Russian Federation had annexed Crimea. After all-night meeting and planning
between Putin and the security chiefs on the subject, within days masked Russian forces
without insignia had taken over Crimea. Following after the controversial Crimean
Referendum on 14th March 2014 that showed a majority of pro-Russian support, Putin signed a
treaty of accession with the self-declared independent Republic of Crimea, it was made a part
of the Russian Federation. The annexation is not recognized by Ukraine as well as the
international community.

3.

BEAUFORT SEA WEDGE:

Dispute over a wedge-shaped slice of ocean between Canada and USA. This is where the
maritime territories of the two countries overlap. The dispute is of course over resources as
the sea-bed is full of them and reportedly has enough natural gas to cover Canadas national
consumption for 20 years.

4.

GIBRALTAR:
The UK, being a former empire has several disputes across the globe. Out of them is Gibraltar,
British overseas territory claimed by Spain. During the war of the Spanish Succession it was
taken over and in 1713 under the treaty of Utrecht was given to the British Crown. Spain had
later tried to reclaim it several times and even today the agenda of reclaiming Gibraltar, by
peaceful means however, is in the governments policy.

5.

BELIZEAN-GUATEMALAN DISPUTE:
Since 1940, Guatemala has declared sovereignty over Belize. The core of this dispute goes as
far back as 1821 when Guatemala claimed independence from Spain- at the time Belize was
considered a part of Spain but it wasnt confirmed as it was ruled by English controllers. In
1859 Guatemala signed a treaty with the UK to recognize Belize as an independent autonomy
in exchange for economic aid. But since UK never complied, Guatemala still wants Belize as
their part. Belize however claims that they never signed the treaty and cannot be forced to
give up their land based on an agreement they never signed. Recent events have taken a
rise in the border tension between the two states after a Guatemalan teen was killed by the

Belizean troops.
6.

BIR TAWIL:
A dispute between Egypt and Sudan. In 1899 Egypt and Sudan joined the British Empire- who
demarcated a political boundary between them. In 1902, the boundary was divided again,
even though it mostly coincided, it formed two disjoint regions. Egypt claims the 1899 border
which would give it the control of the Halaib Triangle (the larger region) and Sudan Bir Tawil
(the smaller one), Sudan asserts the 1902 border which would give them Halaib instead. This
has led to a strange outcome of Bir Tawil a land being claimed by none.

7.

ROCKALL ISLAND:
Rockall is an uninhabited remote granite island in the North Atlantic hundreds of miles from
the nearest human habitation. The island is about 8,000 sq. ft. but UK, Iceland, and Denmark
have a dispute over it for the past many years. The main area of dispute and claiming is the
oil-rich seabed that surrounds it. According to UNCLOS, ownership of remote territories allows
countries to claim fishing, navigation lanes, and of course oil deposits.

8.

FALKLAND ISLANDS:
Argentina still claims the UK-administered Falkland Islands even after Britain had reasserted
its rule in 1833. Argentina forcibly occupied the Falkland Islands in 1982, but in 1995 agreed
to not seek settlement by force. The UK however continues to reject Argentine requests on
sovereignty talks.

9.

JAMMU AND KASHMIR:

One of the most heated and controversial territorial disputes across the globe. The war of
1947 continued till 1949 when UN asked for a withdrawal and called for a referendum. India
still refuses plebiscite and both countries refuse to withdraw their armies. The UN resolution is
still pending and is still in UNSCs agenda.

10. OKINO TORISHIMA:

Japanese uninhabited atoll consisting of three artificial islets, each measuring about 600 sq. ft
in size. The ownership of the islands itself is not the dispute but whether if they count as
islands is under UN Law of The Sea. If they are, Japan would get the control of territory that
would otherwise go to China.