John Andrews

So far in the 21stCentury, the USA and its allies have invaded Afghanistan; Russia has waged war with Georgia; the brutal Islamic State has emerged in the Middle East; and a constant contest for precious minerals in Africa has provoked - and financed -war and carnage.

Other conflicts are less bloody, but still dangerous - the nervous stand-off between India and Pakistan in Kashmir, for instance, or the continuing stalemate between North and South Korea.

Whether explosive or simmering, the number of violent conflicts in the world is high enough to surprise, intrigue and sober any reader. Andrews tackles head-on the reasons why global conflict is ever-present in our lives. He analyses the causes, contexts, participants, impacts and likely outcomes of each conflict. and, crucially, he considers where, why and how new conflicts might erupt.

John Andrews was The Economist's most experienced foreign correspondent, with postings in Europe, Asia and America. Before joining The Economist, he wrote from and about north Africa and the Middle East for the Guardian and NBC News.