We must close down the ungoverned space in which they thrive and we must deal with the grievances they use to garner support.

BBC: David Cameron

Several insurgencies in north-west Africa could fuse to create a vast ungoverned space including Niger, Chad and southern Libya to function as a haven for militants preparing attacks.

ECONOMIST: Nigeria��s insurgency

There are vast areas of largely ungoverned space that have attracted al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and other extremist allies in Yemen and throughout the region.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

The fear that really prompted French intervention and that guaranteed it wide-spread support was the nightmare that a vast area like northern Mali could turn into ungoverned space providing a sanctuary for AQIM.

BBC: Can France achieve its goals in Mali?

Israel has long been concerned that the Sinai Peninsula is fast becoming ungoverned space: a Bedouin-dominated mini-state beyond Cairo's control, with various radical Palestinian groups often linked to local Bedouin extremists operating at will.

BBC: Sinai attack marks step change in border violence

That leaves conflicts that rage in weak and failing states (as in parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan), or in ungoverned space (in parts of Somalia), where rival non-state actors, terrorist groups, militants and warlords do battle.

ECONOMIST: Civilians in conflict