Territorial dispute refers to the processes by which states claim sovereign title over a piece of territory or, more generally, over some territorial component. A territorial dispute may also be connected to operational definitions of militarized conflict, such as the CoW classification that includes wars where one state threatens or displays its military power and the other responds. But even without a military response, a territorial dispute may be characterized by other features that make it potentially dangerous, such as the presence of an armed militia or other rogue actors on both sides and the presence of contested international norms like the prohibition against annexation. The recent crisis between Russia and Ukraine, the ongoing dispute between Israel and Gaza, and the continuing territorial claims of China and its neighbors are examples of territorial disputes.
Domestic publics often view disputed territory as an integral part of their national identity and may react strongly to a threat that imperils it. These emotions may generate a belief in the indivisibility of the territory, and a stance that rejects compromise in reclaiming the territory, in part because they see the process of restoring territory as a way to redress a perceived injustice.
A territorial change research agenda would need to include a greater focus on these dynamics and their consequences. For example, scholars would benefit from a better understanding of why some states take uncompromising stances on territorial claims, including how domestic considerations can affect their bargaining positions and policy options in the context of international disputes (see Hensel and Mitchell). It is also necessary to explore the relationship between territorial changes and other forms of international conflict such as diplomatic negotiations and regional or global wars.