This article was originally published March 28, 2014.

Sometimes two countries disagree about territory, or land. They both believe the same territory belongs to them. This kind of disagreement is called a territorial dispute. Both sides claim the land, or say it is theirs. Disputes like these can lead to war. Sometimes they lead to annexation. An annexation is when a country becomes part of another country.

Here are some territorial disputes happening right now.

Crimea

Crimea used to be ruled by Russia. It became part of Ukraine in 1954. In 2014, Russian soldiers entered the country. Afterward, the Crimean people voted to decide if Crimea should become part of Russia. Most of them decided "yes."

Most world leaders said the vote was not fair. They said Russia cheated. Ukraine still wants Crimea back.

East China Sea and Tibet

Both Japan and China claim a group of islands in the East China Sea. The islands are known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan. In China, they are called the Diaoyu Islands.

China is also in a dispute over Tibet. Right now, Tibet is part of China. It wants to be a separate country.

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir was once part of British-ruled India. After Britain gave up control in the 1940s, Jammu and Kashmir was divided up. India took over one part. Pakistan took over another part. There is now a 724-kilometer- (450-mile-) long border separating the two parts. Both nations have many soldiers along this border.

India and Pakistan both claim all of Jammu and Kashmir. Many people are afraid a war could break out.

Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and the West Bank

The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are small territories in the Middle East. They are claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians. Many people have been killed fighting over them.

The Golan Heights dispute is between Israel and Syria. The Golan Heights was once part of Syria. Israel annexed it, or took it over, after a war in 1973. Syria wants it back.

Western Sahara

Western Sahara is in northwest Africa. Until 1976, it was ruled by Spain. After the Spanish left, Morocco took over. This annexation has been disputed ever since. Morocco is trying to push the Sahrawi people out of Western Sahara. Sahrawis are the main people who live in the area.

Transdniestria

Transdniestria is a tiny strip of land between Moldova and Ukraine. It is in Eastern Europe. Transdniestria split off from Moldova in the early 1990s. Since then, Russian troops have been in the country. Moldova wants Transdniestria back. Many people in Transdniestria want to stay separate. Others want to join Russia.