The last century saw two global wars, the first using chemical and the second nuclear weapons. There have also been smaller but at times no less devastating regional conflicts in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and southeast and southwest Asia, as well as numerous long-term but lower-intensity conflicts. The last 30 years has also seen an increase in peacekeeping and other military operations under the auspices of the United Nations, while the last decade has numerous military operations worldwide in response to terrorist incidents. Naval forces have frequently been at the forefront of many of these conflicts.
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