Balkanized

"Balkanized" describes a situation where a larger region or country has broken into smaller, often hostile, and poorly coordinated areas or states. This fragmentation typically results from political, ethnic, or cultural conflicts, leading to instability and difficulty in governance. The term originates from the Balkans in southeastern Europe, where the region experienced multiple divisions and conflicts. In broader use, it refers to any scenario where a unified entity becomes divided into smaller, dysfunctional parts, hindering effective cooperation and stability.