'The frontline is everywhere': 10 surprising conflict hotspots for 2026

Today, Britain’s MI6 chief delivered a chilling message: the frontline is now everywhere.

Look around the world and the evidence is overwhelming. From Ukraine to Gaza to Sudan, violence is spreading fast and growing more lethal by the month. New data from ACLED shows that Europe is now the most intense conflict zone on the planet - a fact that should shock anyone in the West still clinging to the idea that war happens elsewhere. Plus, with drone strikes now accounting for more than a quarter of all attacks worldwide, war is only a short flight away. 

This is not a bad patch, this is a dangerous new era. And next year will be even bloodier still. The warning signs are screaming at us. 

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data organisation, known as ACLED, has been tracking all of this data and more. Venetia speaks to their CEO Clionadh Raleigh to find out more.

Read ACLED's report: https://acleddata.com/conflict-index-2026-watchlist

Producer: Peter Shevlin

Executive Producer: Louisa Wells

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