Crude conflict over (3)
I believe the answer is:
raw
'crude' is the definition.
('raw' can be a synonym of 'crude')
'conflict over' is the wordplay.
'conflict' becomes 'war' (war is a kind of conflict).
'over' says the letters should be written backwards.
'war' written backwards gives 'RAW'.
(Other definitions for raw that I've seen before include "Natural" , "Abraded" , "Not processed" , "Like a recruit" , "Unpleasantly cold and damp" .)