A failed state is a political entity where the government has lost the ability to maintain control over its territory, provide basic services to its population, or enforce the rule of law. Common symptoms include widespread corruption, civil conflict, and economic collapse. Examples of failed states include Somalia, which has struggled with internal conflict and a lack of central authority, and Yemen, which has been torn apart by civil war and foreign intervention. Failed states can become breeding grounds for terrorism, transnational crime, and refugee crises, making them a concern for global stability.