ABSTRACT
This chapter talks about the historical trends in armed conflict are briefly examined. It explains the trends in modern armed conflict are traversed and the question as to whether the world is more or less violent today than in the past is addressed, together with some observations regarding the ways in which conflict has changed in type and intensity. The chapter examines the threat posed to international peace and security by non-state actors, and in particular by acts of terrorism. One aspect of the changing nature of conflict is the asymmetric threat posed by non-state actors, especially those engaged in international terrorism. Terrorism is not a new phenomenon it is as old as humanity, since brutal violence has long been used as a tool for making strong, and unforgettable, political statements.
