This has been prevalent throughout history.

In the Cold War era, both the U.S. and the Soviets (and to an extent, other powers like the Chinese, British, and French), funded conflicts across the globe in the name of ideology and economic interests. Dictatorships and autocratic governments were prevalent around the world, propped up by these major powers. New nations were fighting against colonial powers for their independence.

In the aftermath of the Cold War, conflicts are still everywhere due in part of tribalism, support by world powers (e.g. US and Russia), economic interests of those at the top, and colonialism. You had the breakup of Yugoslavia and all the conflict that erode from that, Africa and Asia are still a hot mess due in part to borders drawn by the Europeans, the Middle East is likewise, etc.

However! It is true that, currently, we are at a tipping point in the world. Many populist far-right parties and leaders are gaining influence, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is devastating for both sides, Israel is starving Gaza, Iran is bombing their neighbours, the United States is doing what they have always done, the Chinese are militarising at a rapid rate, blunt racism and religious prejudice (Islamophobia, antisemitism, etc.) is returning (by prominent world leaders too, yikes!), etc. And these are conflicts involving nuclear-armed states!

Things are bad, and it is important to be aware of that, but nothing is new. The Russians have had conflicts with Ukraine (and other states, like Georgia) in the past, Israel had always been committing atrocities in the occupied territories, Iran had been hostile to its neighbours in the past, the U.S. had intervened in many (sooo many) nations already, etc.

But simply because it’s not new doesn’t negate its consequences. Lives have been lost in war, people across the world require humanitarian aid, and bigotry (of any kind) affects everybody. No, the world is not more volatile, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t.