While certain borders, such as the one separating the United States and Canada, remain peaceful, others serve as hotspots for conflict fueled by country or ethnic rivalries, disagreements over national resources, or historical disputes. This list details 8 controversial international borders across the globe.

8. Senkaku (Diaoyu) islands, East China Sea

At first glance, the Senkaku (Chinese: Diaoyu) islands appear to be nothing more than a collection of rocks surrounded by water. However, the dispute over these islands, controlled by Japan and contested by China, escalated significantly when valuable oil and gas fields were discovered beneath the waters.

The situation reached a boiling point in 2012 when a wealthy Japanese family sold one of the islands to the Japanese government, sparking widespread anger among the Chinese population and triggering extensive anti-Japanese riots. With China’s increasing influence and assertiveness in Asia, many experts caution that the tensions surrounding the Senkaku islands have the potential to evolve into a more serious and widespread conflict.

7. Kuril Islands

The ongoing dispute over this archipelago, abundant with volcanoes and consisting of 56 islands, stands as the chief obstacle preventing Japan and Russia from formalizing a peace treaty to conclude World War II. Following the war’s conclusion, the Soviet Union seized control of the Kuril Islands, some of which had been under Imperial Russia’s jurisdiction.

Although the Yalta agreements stipulated the transfer of the islands to the Soviet Union, Japan persisted in asserting historical rights to the southernmost islands. This historical contention remains a significant factor in the unresolved post-World War II diplomatic relations between the two nations.

6. The Korean peninsula

It’s crucial to remember that the Korean War never conclusively concluded. Despite the signing of an armistice between South and North Korea, an official peace treaty was never established. As a result, the two nations have remained in a tense geopolitical standoff, facing each other with an ongoing and unresolved military standstill. The absence of a formal peace agreement has perpetuated the enduring uncertainty surrounding the Korean Peninsula.

5. Western Sahara

Since the 1970s, the indigenous people of Western Sahara, known as the Saharawis, have been engaged in a struggle for independence against Morocco. Led by the Polisario Front, they have pursued their cause through both armed insurgency and diplomatic negotiations.

In 1991, a potential breakthrough occurred when both parties agreed to a peace proposal brokered by the United Nations. This proposal outlined a referendum, under UN supervision, allowing the indigenous Saharawi population to determine whether they preferred an independent Western Sahara led by the Polisario Front or integration with Morocco.

However, peace remained elusive, as Morocco strategically resettled tens of thousands of settlers in the region to sway the referendum, and Polisario soldiers resumed their armed campaigns. Despite these challenges, a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution persisted.

4. Antarctica

Several nations, including the United Kingdom, France, and Argentina, have asserted claims over the icy expanse of Antarctica. However, these claims, established prior to the signing of the Antarctica Treaty in 1959, have not garnered international recognition.

The treaty explicitly prohibits countries from asserting ownership over any part of Antarctica, emphasizing its dedication to peaceful purposes and discouraging international discord in the region. The solemn language of the treaty underscores the commitment to preserve Antarctica for the benefit of all humanity.

Despite these safeguards, some experts speculate that the potential discovery of valuable natural resources could alter the geopolitical landscape and rekindle nations’ interests in making claims to Antarctica. As of now, there is no indication of any penguin-led independence movement in the icy continent.

3. Israel/Palestine

The Israel-Palestine conflict, undeniably impossible to overlook, stands as a persistent source of insecurity not only for the Middle East but also for the global community at large.

2. Somaliland

The contemporary borders of Africa bear the imprint of intense competition among European colonial powers, particularly Britain and France, vying for control of the continent.

Notably, during World War II, all Somali territories were brought together under British military administration, excluding French Somaliland. This unification process persisted even after Somalia achieved independence in 1960.

However, by the late 1980s, the nation was plunged into a prolonged civil war. In the aftermath, Somaliland, situated in the northern region along the Gulf of Aden coast, declared its independence in 1991. Despite establishing itself as the Republic of Somaliland, international recognition has remained elusive.

1. Taiwan

Following Japan’s defeat in World War II, the island of Taiwan returned to Chinese control. However, the Chinese government underwent a transformation when the People’s Liberation Army, led by Mao Zedong, overthrew the nationalist government on the mainland, establishing the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In response, the nationalist government, led by Chiang Kai-shek, retreated to Taiwan, maintaining its rule and adopting the name Republic of China (ROC).

While the People’s Republic of China asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, considering it a “rogue province,” the Republic of China on Taiwan still claims to be the legitimate government representing both sides of the Taiwan Strait. This complex situation has led to ongoing geopolitical tensions and differing perspectives on the status of Taiwan.