This book addresses a wealth of cases from around the world that illustrate how local tensions, frictions and open conflicts are not only influenced by outside actors, but how local parties proactively seek to insert their interests in global discourses, if only to strengthen their legitimacy. It shows how local strife is often situated in and shaped by broader political and other contexts. The issues range from religious contentions, ethical controversies, ethnic clashes, and environmental problems in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe.