Armed conflict is a contested interaction involving the organized use of physical force between at least two parties, typically states or non-state armed groups, pursuing political objectives. As a core concept in political science and international relations, it denotes a threshold of violence characterized by a level of organization and intensity that distinguishes it from other forms of social or political unrest. Research on armed conflict investigates its multifaceted causes, dynamics, escalation, termination, and profound human, social, political, and economic consequences, serving as a critical lens for understanding global security, political stability, and human rights challenges.