Last week brought rare good news for peace efforts. Syria and Kurdish-led forces agreed on a historic ceasefire, merging Kurdish troops into the Syrian army while securing Kurdish autonomy. This deal grants Damascus control over border regions and oil fields, a step toward unifying Syria and stabilizing the region.

Meanwhile, Armenia and Azerbaijan finalized a peace agreement to end their long-standing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. While the signing date remains uncertain, both nations confirmed negotiations are complete, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough after Azerbaijan’s 2023 military takeover of Karabakh.

These agreements come at a time of worsening global instability. The Global Peace Index 2024 reports a grim picture: 56 active conflicts—the highest since World War II—along with record violence in Gaza and Ukraine, 162,000 battle deaths, and 110 million displaced people. Military spending has surged, with 108 nations expanding their forces, and the economic impact of violence reached $19 trillion.

While global tensions remain high, the Syrian and Armenian-Azerbaijani peace deals could be a turning point. If successfully implemented, they may help improve global peace rankings and provide a rare glimmer of hope in an increasingly unstable world.