By HAN News Desk
WASHINGTON — Foreign Policy magazine has identified a potential conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea as one of the world’s most imminent wars in 2026, placing the Horn of Africa near the top of its global risk outlook for the coming year.
In its report published Friday, the magazine said tensions between the two neighboring countries have sharply escalated, with both governments accused of preparing for possible military confrontation and intensifying hostile rhetoric. The assessment warns that diplomatic efforts to defuse the situation have weakened significantly as global attention shifts elsewhere.
According to Foreign Policy, the international community has shown limited engagement in mediating between Addis Ababa and Asmara, largely due to growing security concerns in other regions. The report notes that nearly every part of the world — including traditionally stable regions such as Europe — is now focused on military preparedness, national defense and contingency planning, leaving little political or diplomatic capacity to address emerging crises beyond their immediate borders.
The magazine further warned that the Horn of Africa is heading into what it described as a “volatile year,” with an increased likelihood that political tensions could spiral into open conflict. The situation is compounded by the ongoing war in Sudan, which the report said has reached a stage where it is increasingly difficult to contain or meaningfully manage, further destabilizing the wider region.
Analysts cited in the report cautioned that renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea would have far-reaching consequences, potentially worsening humanitarian conditions, disrupting regional trade routes and deepening insecurity across the Horn of Africa.
