This book aims to track the evolution of internal wars, examining its various aspects, patterns and armed-group actors. It presents both an overview and assessment of the key topics and issues one must consider theoretically and operationally when analyzing such conflicts. Today, even the most developed and powerful states are vulnerable to non-traditional security challenges fostered by armed groups employing unconventional and asymmetric means. To be able to assess these areas requires detailed information on armed groups and their interaction. This means one must appreciate the distinctive and commonly shared features of armed groups, as well as key differences among them. The book covers all the critical areas of study for internal wars: the changing face of war trends in international conflict and war the crisis of the state ethno nationalism and religious extremism economic factors andglobalization overview of non-state armed groups four types of armed groups organization, ideology and tactics strategic non-violent action in internal wars. Understanding Internal Wars and Conflicts will be of interest to students and scholars of civil wars, ethnic conflicts, conflict resolution and security studies and international relations in general.