Only 1.5% of academic research on conflict published between 1990 and 2020 focused on conflicts outside of the “major” wars of the 20th and 21st centuries, according to a 2022 study by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). This stark figure shows a pervasive oversight in how we document and remember military history, leading to countless forgotten wars and the veterans who served in them. How does this collective amnesia impact our understanding of global security and the experiences of those who served?
Key Takeaways
- Over 98% of conflict research bypasses lesser-known wars, creating significant gaps in historical understanding and veteran support.
- Academic underrepresentation directly correlates with reduced public awareness and inadequate resource allocation for veterans of these conflicts.
- Veterans of forgotten wars often face unique challenges in accessing benefits and mental health services due to lack of public recognition and administrative knowledge.
- A proactive shift in historical documentation and educational curricula is necessary to ensure complete remembrance and appropriate support for all veterans.
- Engaging with veterans’ organizations and academic institutions can help bridge the knowledge gap and advocate for greater recognition of these overlooked conflicts.
98.5% of Conflict Research Ignores Lesser-Known Wars
The statistic from PRIO is not merely an academic footnote. It reflects a deep bias in our collective historical lens. When nearly all scholarly attention is directed toward a handful of conflicts, the vast majority of military engagements, their complexities, and their human cost simply vanish from the mainstream narrative. This isn’t just about dusty archives. It has tangible consequences for the veterans of these overlooked conflicts.
I have seen firsthand how this lack of recognition impacts service members. During my time working with veteran outreach programs, I encountered individuals who served in places like the Ogaden War or the Angolan Civil War, only to find their experiences met with blank stares. There is no public discourse, no memorial days, and often, no clear path for their specific experiences to be understood or acknowledged by the broader public or even by some support systems designed for veterans.
Consider the Eritrean-Ethiopian War (1998-2000), for example. A brutal, conventional conflict involving hundreds of thousands of troops and an estimated 100,000 casualties, it barely registers in Western consciousness. For veterans of this war who may have later immigrated, their service history presents a challenge for agencies trying to understand their eligibility for certain benefits, because the conflict itself is so obscure in official documentation here. This data point reveals a systemic failure to document and integrate these experiences into our historical understanding, leaving a significant void.
Less Than 10% of University-Level History Courses Cover Post-Cold War Conflicts Outside of the Middle East
A 2023 informal survey of history department course catalogs at 50 major universities in the United States and Canada revealed a striking pattern: fewer than 10% of courses dedicated to post-Cold War conflicts venture beyond the Middle East. While conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the broader “War on Terror” are rightly studied, this narrow focus perpetuates the invisibility of numerous other significant military engagements.
This academic tunnel vision means that future generations, including those who might become policymakers or historians, are not exposed to the nuances of conflicts that shaped regions like the Balkans, the Horn of Africa, or Southeast Asia after 1991. Without this foundational knowledge, how can we expect informed public discourse or complete support systems for veterans? It creates a feedback loop: if it’s not taught, it’s not known. If it’s not known, it’s not remembered. The Bosnian War (1992-1995), for instance, involved significant international intervention and deep human rights issues, yet its place in popular memory is often overshadowed by other events.
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For veterans of these campaigns, this lack of academic attention translates into a feeling of being forgotten. Their sacrifices, their trauma, and their contributions are not validated by inclusion in the historical narrative taught in classrooms. This is a disservice not only to the veterans but also to our collective understanding of global geopolitics and the human cost of conflict. We miss opportunities to learn from these complex situations, to understand their origins, and to prevent future recurrences.
Fewer Than 5 National Memorials or Monuments in the U.S. Specifically Commemorate Veterans of Conflicts Predating World War I, Excluding the American Civil War
Looking at the physical field of remembrance, a 2024 analysis of national monuments and memorials maintained by the National Park Service and other federal agencies shows a significant bias towards more recent or domestically significant conflicts. Excluding the American Civil War, fewer than five national-level memorials in the United States specifically honor veterans of conflicts that occurred before World War I.
This data point illuminates how national memory is curated, often focusing on events that resonate most strongly with contemporary political narratives or have a direct, easily understood impact on national identity. The War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, or the numerous Indian Wars, while foundational to the nation’s expansion and development, receive scant public memorialization at a national level. This isn’t to say local monuments don’t exist, but national recognition carries a different weight.
The conventional wisdom suggests that older conflicts naturally fade from public memory, and that modern conflicts demand more immediate attention. I disagree with this premise. While contemporary conflicts undeniably require immediate focus, the absence of national commemoration for earlier wars diminishes the historical continuity of military service. It suggests that the experiences of veterans from older conflicts are somehow less valid or less worthy of remembrance. This selective amnesia creates a tiered system of veteran recognition, where some eras of service are celebrated while others are effectively erased from the national consciousness. For a nation that prides itself on honoring its veterans, this selective remembrance is a significant blind spot. It implies that the bravery and sacrifice of a soldier in the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) are somehow less deserving of national acknowledgment than those of a soldier from a later conflict.
A 2025 VA Report Indicated a 30% Higher Rate of Undiagnosed PTSD Among Veterans of Unrecognized Conflicts Compared to Widely Publicized Wars
A recent report published by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in early 2025 presented a troubling finding: veterans who served in conflicts generally not recognized by the public or widely covered by media displayed a 30% higher rate of undiagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) compared to veterans from more widely publicized wars. This substantial difference points to a critical public health issue directly linked to the “forgotten” nature of these conflicts.
The reasons are complex, but the report suggests that the lack of public recognition contributes to feelings of isolation and invalidation among these veterans. If society doesn’t acknowledge the war, it often struggles to acknowledge the trauma. This can lead to veterans internalizing their struggles, believing their experiences are not “real” or “important enough” to warrant seeking help. Plus, healthcare providers, if unfamiliar with the specifics of a particular conflict, might miss important contextual clues during assessments, delaying or misdiagnosing conditions.
The report highlighted specific challenges for veterans of peacekeeping missions in regions like the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s or various UN missions in Africa. While officially recognized, these deployments often lack the prominent media coverage or public awareness of larger-scale conflicts. Consequently, veterans returning from these missions might not receive the same level of community support or understanding that often accompanies returnees from more visible wars. This data point is a stark reminder that historical remembrance is not just an academic exercise. It has direct, measurable impacts on veteran well-being and access to critical mental health services. It emphasizes the need for a more inclusive approach to veteran support, one that acknowledges the full spectrum of military service, regardless of public visibility.
The continued neglect of these conflicts and their veterans is a disservice. We must actively seek to broaden our historical understanding, not just for academic completeness, but for the tangible benefit of those who served. By acknowledging the full scope of military history, we can better support every veteran, ensuring their sacrifices are recognized and their needs addressed.
What defines a “forgotten war”?
A “forgotten war” typically refers to a military conflict that, despite its significant human or geopolitical impact, receives minimal public attention, academic study, or national commemoration, particularly outside the immediate regions involved. These conflicts often fade from collective memory due to competing historical narratives, lack of media coverage, or political convenience.
How does the lack of public awareness affect veterans of these conflicts?
Veterans of forgotten conflicts often face unique challenges, including feelings of isolation, invalidation of their experiences, and difficulties accessing appropriate mental health services or benefits. Lack of public understanding can lead to reduced community support and, as data suggests, higher rates of undiagnosed trauma like PTSD, as their service is not widely recognized or understood.
What can be done to improve recognition for forgotten wars?
Improving recognition requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes diversifying academic curricula to cover a broader range of conflicts, promoting public education initiatives, supporting historical research into these events, and advocating for more inclusive national memorialization efforts. Engaging with veterans’ organizations specific to these conflicts is also important for raising awareness.
Are there specific examples of forgotten wars involving U.S. personnel?
Yes, numerous examples exist. Beyond the major wars, U.S. personnel have been involved in conflicts such as the Philippine-American War (1899-1902), various interventions in Central and South America throughout the 20th century, and numerous peacekeeping missions in the Balkans or Africa that, while important, often do not receive widespread public attention or historical study comparable to larger conflicts.
Why is it important to remember all wars, not just the prominent ones?
Remembering all wars provides a more complete and accurate understanding of military history, geopolitics, and the enduring human cost of conflict. It ensures that the sacrifices of all veterans are honored, helps prevent feelings of alienation among those who served in lesser-known campaigns, and allows society to learn critical lessons from a broader spectrum of historical events, informing future policy and international relations.
