Are we starting world war 3?

Are We Starting World War 3?

In recent years, global politics have been marked by increasingly tensions between major powers. The threat of conflict and the specter of global catastrophe loom large as the world teeters on the brink of World War 3. But are we, indeed, on the verge of another global conflagration?

A Primer on World War 1 and World War 2

Before delving into the potential threats of a third global war, it’s essential to understand the context and similarities between the two global conflicts that ravaged the planet in the 20th century. World War 1 began when Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in June 1914. The complex system of alliances between European nations dragged them into a web of war, resulting in massive human losses and the end of four empires (Austria-Hungary, Germany, Ottoman Empire, and Russia).

World War 2, sparked by Hitler’s invasion of Poland, entangled even more countries in a conflict that devastated Asia and Europe, resulted in an estimated 50 million fatalities, and forever altered the world order. After these catastrophic conflicts, détente (a decrease in tension between nations) had prevailed, and global harmony seemed more achievable. Nevertheless, new challenges arose and new divisions emerged.

The Current Threat Scenario

There are several areas where tension simmers:

• Escalation in US-Chinese relations: With US President Joe Biden repeatedly claiming China’s actions toward Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the South China Sea were a major threat, global attention turned to Sino-American competition. Diplomats in both capitals anxiously awaited the possibility that one or both powers, amid disagreements, may mistakenly miscalculate a direct attack on the opponent

• Russia-West friction: Russian President Vladimir Putin, emboldened by US presidential elections (during which, he tried) and economic sanctions in Moscow, became increasingly vocal over alleged interference in other presidential elections as justification for interfering in their

• Middle Eastern Confrontation: Following former US President Donald Trump’s assassination of Iranian top militia commander Qassem Suleimani (leading to Tehran’s declaration a US “terrorist"), both Iran and Saudi Arabia engaged in a vicious contest. Each side involved militia, drone, and covert proxy wars

• Eurasian Border Clash between China, India, Russia: This region (Arctic), where world wars could ignite, and these superpowers have historically kept quiet (but for small, relatively minor wars among border towns). Both in a bid to improve local economy (and create buffers to rivals) engaged strategic construction

• Military modernization and arsenals growth: The buildup includes more submarines, more ground-to-ground missiles and cyberattacks for the UAC. US and Western-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation NATO, respectively has

Bilateral Agreements and Challenges Ahead

Various Bilateral and Multiparty Treaties and Understanding to prevent catastrophic violence were achieved:

International agreements

• The Geneva Protocol of 1928: Outlawing biochemical weapons and the
1953-1965 Soviet Union-Cuba defense Agreement (then, this nuclear treaty in 2023).

Regional or smaller scale agreements exist

• South Asia; Russia-Pakistan; (European and Pacific) Treaty alliance for Asia-Pacific trade area and US-China military forces. Each of which represents different paths to achieving or hindering global accord by maintaining (or preventing disarray and chaos and creating trust or mistrust on regional borders)

But not everyone trusts these and international commitments (or commitments under their treaties). Not, all agree on who truly should join the various
multilateral agreements while global harmony could be ensured the
balance of economic progress with economic growth will shift toward those who better leverage it; and (matters).

In Conclusion: Are We On the Verge of Another Global Conflict?

Considering the precarious positions in US-Chinese diplomacy, the ongoing battle
• For control; escalation
• In Sino-US ties; conflict) to an alliance
of proxy warfare on the regional proxy battle. The Arctic becomes the Eurasian

Whether this current situation creates for the next
a war.