Armed conflict is either international, non-international or transnational. International armed conflict is any disagreement between two political states that involves armed military intervention. International armed conflict also includes occupation by an invading military, even if the invading force meets no armed resistance.
Non-international armed conflict involves an organized group of armed persons engaged in ongoing violence with the government where the hostilities arose.
Transnational armed conflict is defined by an organized group of armed persons engaged in armed hostilities against a state but is conducted across an international border.
The United States designates zones of armed conflict as any combat zone or foreign territory where armed violence is an imminent threat to U.S. citizens. Special pay and benefits are available to government and military employees working in designated zones of armed conflict. Travel warnings for U.S. citizens are available through the Department of State.
In 2010, the United States is actively involved in four zones of armed conflict: Iraq, Afghanistan, the Phillipines, and Djibouti. At least 27 other countries are involved in active zones of armed conflict.
