The hostage taking potentially broadened the conflict beyond Mali's borders and raised the possibility of drawing an increasing number of foreign countries into direct involvement, particularly if expatriates working in the vast energy extraction industries of North Africa become targets.
Almost 2m northern Ugandans have been forced to live in squalid camps as part of the government's counter-insurgency strategy, while the rebels' move last year to Garamba, in Congo, broadened the conflict.
Washington has urged the Kremlin not to broaden the conflict in the Caucasus or along its southern periphery by bombing Afghanistan.
Mr Assad did not react when Israel, repeatedly but most recently in July, launched airstrikes in Syria against weapons destined for Hizbullah.Still, the risks of further escalating and broadening the conflict are real.
MEXICO CITY — The Mexican drug war that has largely been defined by violence along the border is intensifying in interior and southern areas once thought clear of the carnage, broadening a conflict that has already overwhelmed the authorities and dispirited the public, according to analysts and new government data.
An alternative approach would be to seek to broaden the conflict by striking at Turkey, US forces in Jordan or perhaps even to fire ballistic missiles against Israel.
A dramatic increase in Russian aircraft incursions into European and North American airspace is also fuelling concerns among Western officials that Moscow may also be willing to broaden the conflict beyond Ukraine's borders.
Syria's conflict has broadened this year, with a US-led coalition now carrying out air strikes against IS fighters and positions.
Conflict between Syria and Arafat broadened in the wake of the Israeli invasion, and Syria took advantage of a rift in the PLO to support anti-Arafat factions, hoping to remove Arafat and restyle the PLO as a pro-Syrian organization.
Connecticut has quietly broadened the investigation into potential conflicts of interest by commercial insurance brokers, pursuing the same issue that has drawn the attention of officials in New York and California.
