The 10 Biggest Revolutions Of The 21st Century

Welcome to WatchMojo, and for this list, well be looking at some of the largest and most sociopolitically consequential insurgencies throughout the world since the year 2000.

Taliban Insurgency (2001-21)

Afghanistan

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was established in 1996, with most of the country governed by the theocratic Taliban regime. Following 9/11 five years later, U.S. forces that once supported the regimes leaders against Soviet invasion overthrew them. This gave the Americans a stronghold in the controversial War on Terror. Meanwhile, the exiled Taliban launched an armed revolt, seeking the expulsion of Western forces overseeing the secularization of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This sparked nearly 20 years of heated discourse and violence over the ideological future of a society that has long endured some form of occupation. In 2021, American troops withdrew, and the Emirate was quickly reinstated in a Taliban uprising. Several militias now fight to resist their return to power.

The Second Chechen War (1999-2009)

Chechnya

Centuries of conflict between Russia and the North Caucasus region naturally escalated after the USSRs dissolution in 1991. The most brutal battleground was Chechnya. Three years after a war decided Russian Federation sovereignty, Islamist rebels from autonomous Ichkeria demanded full independence. When Russia responded by occupying the state in 2000, the Second Chechen War became an insurgency. Guerilla fighters gruesome nationalist revolution spilled over throughout Eastern Europe. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putins counterterrorism campaign was integral to his ascension to the presidency. Russia ultimately reclaimed dominion in 2009, though it would be another turbulent eight years before the end of conflict with Chechnya was proclaimed. Conflict had been going on since 1785. For many within and beyond the republic, however, the fight for independence continues.

Niger Delta Conflict (2003-)

Nigeria

The minority citizens of Nigerias Niger Delta became incensed by the growing presence of foreign oil companies in the 1990s. In 2003, they took action. Multiple militant groups rebelled against the recently democratized government for protection and economic control of the environment. Violence rapidly spread throughout the region and included acts of piracy against the oil industry. This contributed to national energy crises. The Nigerian government has responded with security engagements and protection for victims of the conflict. But they have rarely addressed the rebels cause. Since negotiations broke down in 2016, the conflict has expanded into demands for Biafran separatism. Despite being destabilized by rampant internal conflicts and civilian casualties, rebellion through the Niger Delta is as strong as ever.

Iraqi Insurgency (2003-11)

Iraq

The brutal reign of President Saddam Hussein came to an end with an American invasion in 2003. In the war for Iraq's resources and political transition, nationalist groups violently rebelled against American occupation. By 2006, an insurgency against the reconstituted government splintered over Shia and Sunni ideologies. This civil war made Iraq one of the most chaotic countries in the world even after occupation ended in 2011. The U.S.'s military actions have since been widely condemned as poorly formulated and illegal, leaving Iraq in an unstable democracy. Controversial elections have led to violently suppressed protests, and a war with the Islamic State has spawned Islamist insurgencies throughout the country. Democracy in Iraq continues to be endangered by civil unrest and political corruption.

War in Darfur (2003-20)

Sudan

Against twenty years of civil war in Sudan's southern region, two militias in Darfur united against the marginalization of non-Arab citizens. President Omar al-Bashir responded by supporting Arab militias' ethnic cleansing campaigns. The ensuing violence inspired uprisings throughout the country and drew international condemnation of the Sudanese government. It was under this pressure that one of the longest recorded civil wars ended with the secession of South Sudan. Meanwhile, Darfur's governance continued to be divided by revolution, genocide and failed peace negotiations. Finally, in 2018, much of the country rose up in nonviolent protests. This Sudanese Revolution set the stage for Bashir's deposition and trial in the International Criminal Court. After years of historic bloodshed, Sudan finally began its transition to democracy in 2020.

Arab Spring (2010-12)

Middle East and North Africa

Historic political instabilities throughout the Arab World culminated in the Winter of 2010. The Arab Spring ceremoniously began with a Tunisian street vendor's self-immolation to protest his government's corruption and economic mismanagement. The responding Jasmine Revolution inspired reformist protests in more than a dozen countries throughout North Africa and the Middle East. The leaders of Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen were deposed within a year. And debates between secularist and Islamist regime changes often turned to violence. Though the mass unrest was officially suppressed by the end of 2012, it was only considered the First Arab Spring. Many of its legacies of unstable systems and civil war remain. Many still consider the two-year phenomenon to be the largest revolution in the 21st century so far.

Green Movement (2009)

Iran

In 2009, Irans populist President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad narrowly won reelection against reformist Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Questions about the elections legitimacy soon inspired nationwide protests for its annulment. Mousavis campaign color green became a symbol of unity among all reform activists. After violent episodes allowed authorities to suppress public demonstrations, the Green Movement adopted more modern methods. Social media activism became so widespread that the movement was nicknamed the Twitter Revolution. This gave protestors a platform that local and international media outlets fell short on. Its scale and effectiveness were still subject to debate, especially with the governments internet regulation. The Green Movement was ultimately unsuccessful, but impacted the nation as its largest protest since the Iranian Revolution. It would be Ahmadinejads last term as president.

Kitchenware Revolution (2009)

Iceland

The 2008 Global Financial Crisis forced Icelands three leading banks to default. With the stock market plummeting and unemployment soaring, the government nationalized the banks responsible. This sparked the largest protest in the countrys history, symbolized by protestors banging kitchenware outside of the parliament in Reykjavík. Their outrage eventually triggered an emergency election that removed the Independence Party from power. The new government then introduced a referendum, in which over 90 percent of voters decided that taxpayers shouldnt be responsible for the banks debts. Citizens were also invited to draft a new constitution. These reforms were ultimately not adopted, but the prospect represented a watershed moment in modern democracy. In a time of global crisis, the people of Iceland determined their direction forward.

Orange Revolution (2004-05)

Ukraine

As the Russian Federation began to expand by the turn of the 21st century, former Soviet states saw a rise in movements to preserve democratic sovereignty. These so-called Color Revolutions included the Orange Revolution in Ukraine. After the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych won the 2004 Presidential election, evidence of fraud led to widespread civil disobedience. Thousands of protestors in Kyiv alone prompted the Supreme Court to investigate the legitimacy of Yanukovych's election. He was ultimately removed from office in favor of pro-Europe opponent Viktor Yushchenko. It was a victory for peaceful anti-corruption protests, but Yanukovych was eventually elected President in 2010. Corruption and Russian alignment policies throughout his term culminated in the violent Euromaidan protests of 2014. Ukraine has been at war with Russia ever since.

People's April Revolution (2010)

Kyrgyzstan

The history of Kyrgyzstan has been haunted by unrest over interethnic and economic tensions. They continued to escalate after the Tulip Revolution overturned the controversial parliamentary election of 2005. President Kurmanbek Bakiyevs own authoritarian tendencies inspired a number of protests calling for his resignation. As he fled in April 2010, Kyrgyzstan fell to chaos. Ethnic clashes displaced hundreds of thousands, with many Uzbek citizens being forced to leave the country. Finally, a referendum in June led to constitutional amendments limiting presidential powers. The Peoples April Revolution is now commemorated with a national holiday. For many, it is more of an especially solemn chapter of unrest for the Kyrgyz Republic. Following violent protests of the 2020 election, another referendum restored the presidential system.

What are some other revolutionary conflicts that you feel deserve more attention? Join the discourse in the comments.