M
Military Intensity
Frequency and intensity of hostilities (operations, attacks, clashes).
Partial score: 18/20
CSI
The global standard for measuring crisis severity.
Scroll
Five dimensions · one score
CSI=++++
Scroll to explore each dimension · tap a letter to jump
M — Military Intensity
Frequency and intensity of hostilities (operations, attacks, clashes).
Anatomy of a crisis
Case study: civil war in Sudan
Editorial illustration of the CSI breakdown in a high-severity conflict. Figures are illustrative.
C
Civilian Impact
Direct harm to civilian population and effects on daily life.
Partial score: 19/20
E
Escalation Risk
Probability of conflict intensification in the short term.
Partial score: 17/20
H
Humanitarian Access
Restrictions and actual capacity for assistance (food, health, safe corridors).
Partial score: 20/20
I
Internationalization
Level of participation or involvement of external actors (military, financial, diplomatic).
Partial score: 20/20
Composite index
94Critical
The CSI sums five dimensions (0–20 each) into a 0–100 total score.
Data chain
Intelligence pipeline
From heterogeneous sources to a structured, comparable index.
Open sources and verified reports
Satellite monitoring and remote sensing
Field reports and humanitarian alerts
IAW engine
IAW
Output
Structured data (CSI)
Severity spectrum
0–24Low
Limited or sporadic violence. Restricted civilian impact. Contained escalation risk.
25–49Medium
Sustained tension with regular violent episodes. Moderate humanitarian impact. Escalation risk present.
50–74High
High violence or significant humanitarian deterioration. Restrictions on humanitarian access. Elevated escalation risk.
75–100Critical
High lethality, severe humanitarian crisis, or probable escalation. Requires urgent international attention.
Interactive
CSI simulator
CSI
60Adjust each dimension (0–20) and watch the total index change.
M12/20
C14/20
E11/20
H13/20
I10/20
LIVE · CSI
CSI of Monitored Conflicts
Updated severity index for all conflicts under IAW monitoring
Last update: April 28, 2026
0
Crisis estatal, violencia de pandillas y colapso institucional en Haití
Latin America · Feb 21, 2026
M
12
C
16
E
13
H
15.5
I
13
0
Insurgencia armada y violencia terrorista en Nigeria
West Africa · Apr 28, 2026
M
0
C
0
E
0
H
0
I
0
0
Conflicto armado e inestabilidad política en Etiopía
Horn of Africa · Feb 6, 2026
M
5
C
6.9
E
8
H
4
I
4.5
Important note
The CSI measures the severity of conflict over time. It does not measure 'legitimacy,' 'culpability,' or 'moral value' of the actors involved.
How to Cite the CSI
If you use the IAW Conflict Severity Index in your work, you can cite it using the following formats:
Standard format
International Affairs Watch (IAW), Conflict Severity Index (CSI), [Conflict Name], [Date], [Score].
Example
International Affairs Watch (IAW), Conflict Severity Index (CSI), Gaza 2024, January 15, 2026, 78.
APA 7th
International Affairs Watch. (2026). Conflict Severity Index (CSI): [Conflict]. https://internationalaffairswatch.org/csi
Institutional or academic use: If you need to cite the CSI in academic publications, institutional reports, or media, you can contact us for additional information about the methodology.