Are we heading toward World War III?
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has entered its third year, and global tensions have escalated to a concerning stalemate, sparking fears of potential spillover conflicts into neighbouring regions.
The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Israel's war on Gaza, the possible confrontation between China and the West because of Taiwan, the Houthis anger with Israel, and the recent decision by Iran and Israel to launch missiles and drones against each other has further intensified tensions.
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said World War III is coming and has warned of a shift from a post-war to a pre-war world, predicting potential wars involving China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran within the next five years. "A combination of Russia, China and Iran must be seen as very strong vis-à-vis the West,” Shapps said.
Typically, a world war involves armed conflicts between global powers with advanced military capabilities, across multiple regions. With the United States, China, and Russia among the prominent global powers, any conflict involving these nations could escalate to a world war scenario.
Why we might be heading to WWIII
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned in March 2024 against the dire consequences of a direct conflict between Russia and the US-led NATO alliance, suggesting it could precipitate World War III.
Lucas Moyon, an expert from the College of Charleston, says he fears World War III will happen soon and its consequences could be very disruptive citing the potential devastation of a conflict with China, particularly highlighting concerns over cyber and space warfare capabilities. Moyon warns that China's advancements in antisatellite technology pose a significant threat to global infrastructure, including telecommunications and financial systems.
“Toughness on China has enduring and broad political appeal in the U.S., and Xi Jinping has grown increasingly aggressive toward Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. If China attacks the territory of our Pacific allies, the U.S. is sure to intervene,” Moyon explains.
A survey from January 2024 showed that 53% of Britons think it is likely there will be another world war in the next 5 to 10 years.
Meanwhile, in a March 2022 poll, 69% of Americans stated that they are concerned that the invasion of Ukraine could lead to a nuclear war and fear that we are at the beginning stages of World War III.
Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius has expressed concerns that Vladimir Putin may launch an attack on NATO within the next five to eight years. Pistorius said the frequent threats from the Kremlin indicate the need for vigilance regarding the possibility of a future attack on a NATO country by Putin's regime.
Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Bauer, echoed these sentiments. He said peace is not guaranteed and that NATO forces are actively preparing for a potential conflict with Russia.
He cautioned that in the event of a wider war in Europe, a mobilisation of civilians would be necessary, and governments should begin recruiting much larger reserve forces immediately.
