Think this world is heading to World War III?

[SaintMalachi]

Hehe. You have to admit that it does add an interesting twist to Obama's catch-phrase "Muslim outreach program". Aside from this, America needs a war with another Muslim majority country to show the world they really care. So-called "smart power" in action, I guess.

I would be lying if I said I haven't given serious thought to moving to Canada.

 

[Leftimies]

While I agree on almost all of this (frubals my good man), I would note that the omission of international influence and non regional military assets in the east china sea is a rather significant one.

At the same time, the russian angle is one that should be given more note when we examine the potential for a major international conflict. Russia like china is frequently constrained by western powers and is having western military assets moved into location in nations along their border. Like China has had their attempts to secure resources stymied by western powers (just as has happened in reverse). Russia is just as likely to be a player in WWIII as china (indeed if it happens sooner then Russia is MORE likely that china whereas if it happens later china is more likely). Though both are likely to get involved when you consider how close their economic and military efforts have been in recent years.

With this backdrop, Japan as you mentioned and the often overlooked India emerge as vital regional powers. Were either of these two to ally with Russia and China, the resulting block would likely eclipse those that have historically sought to obstruct them. This would particularly be so were they able to convince Japan, but tbh I believe that less likely than to convince India.

Africa, the Arctic, the Middle East and the South China Sea, are all potential triggers for WWIII if we are to assume that Russia or China are to be parties to this war; one that would likely result from the current cold war like climate of geo-political positioning and economic influences. When put that way, it IS possible that an event like Syria could precipitate a wider conflict in theory. However the time is not yet right for those that might seek to prevent the furthering of western influence in the middle east.

And to be brutally honest, even if western nations are in WW3 they may not even be central players in the conflict (it could be russia vs china vs india for example) if we continue our current trends in terms of economic mismanagement, reduced industrial competence and rampant consumerism, we have made our nations both poorer and less able to support themselves (two very different things).

*Sorry, it's gonna be a wall of text again*

You brought up several good points, Arctic sea situation being one of them. In that case too, Russia's role is prominent. But, perhaps because of this precisely, a very different chance also exists: that in case of an Far-Eastern war, Russia would stay out. Think about it. They are recovering from soviet collapse, they have plenty of growth opportunities and a great competitor from China. They would have plenty of gain from skipping ww3 in far-east, as in post-war scenario they would emerge as a superpower again.

China (PRC) is the one powerhouse that has plenty of valid, historically pattern-proven reasons to ignite war:
- It holds grudges against Japan for A) history B) territory C) envy.
- It holds a monopoly on rare-earth trade (95% of world total).
- It has economic growth required to support military campaign of that magnitude (7% annual GDP growth).
- It has the industrial might required to replenish inevitable losses.
- It has the military might of all three branches: an extensive naval force, world's 2nd largest, recently modernized, and stealth-capable air force - and up to seven million troops (paramilitaries included).
- It has strong motives: reconquest of Taiwan island and 'reunification of Chinas', a rallying point for nationalist sentiment; defense of maritime borders in South China Sea, mainly against ROC and Philippines; backing its buffer state North Korea in time of crisis.
- All of its potential enemies are allies of United States, which increases its interference in the region.
- Mindset: it may sound weak as an argument, but its quite serious. China has been a laugh stock in power politics, driving China to a situation where it has a lot to prove in order to be taken seriously. Not only this, but the so-called "Patriotic Education", propaganda aimed at children, will result in population willing to fiercely defend their country against scorning. In addition, China has the identity of being the greatest culture in the world history - being a laugh stock is starkly in contrast with that identity. It is very frustrating to the nationalist elements within PRC.
- China has the ability to bring United States' economy to its knees, in theory. No other country has this ability.
- Hatred, anxiety and resentment towards Japan. I cannot stress this one enough. More often than not, wars are sequels to previous wars. This would mark 3rd major war between China and modern Japan within time frame of 150 years - not to mention how Taiwan/ROC is tied directly to the events of two previous Sino-Japanese wars, and to Japan's colonial policy. Japan's re-armanment is a question of life and death for many Chinese people. To them it looks like Imperial Japan is making its return, and last time when that happened with Meiji era imperial restoration, smaller Japanese military handed China's butt over to it. The historical context is dark and sinister. Also, Japan is pushing out some heavy hardware, referring to the new Izumo class carrier and her to-be-built sister ship.

Mark my words, its gonna be a Korean war all over again - with extension to Japan, ROC, NATO, Philippines (with additional possibilities: India's angle on Tibet, India-Pakistan relations, Russia's far east plans with their Mistral class deployments to Pacific; role of Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam?).

 

[InformedIgnorance]

I agree in terms of the China / Japan / South+East China sea / US analysis, but I am not so sure that russia will believe it has the luxury to sit it out, when you consider how western powers actively attempt to obstruct russian interests and move missile systems (laughably called a shield) into positions encapsulating them.

I think russia is able to recognise a threat when it seems one and though their relationship with china is very complex (from the russian perspective they are uneasy of their rather powerful neighbor's involvement in a number of issues in particular their economy) it is still the single most important strategic alliance russia has. If china moves into war footing in the far east it will draw american involvement (because that is america does, go to war). Then of course there are russian claims (legitimate or not) to the disputed Kuril islands and the tensions between themselves and japan. Also given japan's significant (though diminishing) technological advantages in comparison to the chinese military (as is also the case for non regional allies of japan), china may well seek to obtain the assistance of russia for whom the technological difference is not as great.

I do not believe russia could afford to let such an opportunity pass to throw their weight behind a strategic ally and strike at those who have made repeatedly acted to frustrate their geo-political interests both in terms of regional forces and international ones who will seek to involve themselves.

 

[dynavert2012]

Does a war between Syria and the US count as a world war?

do you think it won't drag other countries "allies of both sides" into it?

 

[Caladan]

I think that in a way a world war has been waged for some time now. With the central players being Muslim factions and nations.
In the last decades millions of Muslims were killed and millions more became refugees as a result of widespread internal strife and wars in the Muslim world. Whether it be in Africa, the Middle East, Central or South Asia. We've seen sovereign Muslim countries fight each other, we've seen many civil wars, fighting over 'succession of dynasties'.
The so called Arab Spring everyone were so eager to celebrate caused the death of hundreds of thousands of Arabs, in Syria it may spell the dissolution of the state as Sunnis, Alawites, other Shiites, Christians, Kurds, and other groups need to find the key to perpetuate their existence.
So regardless of active involvement of powers such as the US and Russia in the region. The bulk of the killing has been taking place in wars inside the Muslim world. Where chemical weapons have already been deployed and have killed thousands, where entire communities have been ethnically cleansed, where WWI style trench warfare took place for a whole decade with horrific results, and where ballistic missiles have been lobbed.

Maybe to people who live outside the sphere of this region, and also perhaps who may come from a younger age all these developments seem to be foreign. But over here, ever since I was born there has been a major war going on, a civil war, or other form of strife. It was the same for the generations before me who probably saw several conflicts during each decade.

 

[bippy123]

I would be lying if I said I haven't given serious thought to moving to Canada.

If WW3 happens even going to Canada might not help much, but probably the best bet is to invest in an underground bunker style house.

A few years back I saw a house for sale that was built into the side of one of the mountains of the Colorado Rockies with enough concrete to protect against radiation and a water filtration system that was top notch.

Love the avatar pic, I'm a big fan of smallville and doctor fate, even though he lasted for only a few episodes .

 

[dgirl1986]

do you think it won't drag other countries "allies of both sides" into it?

Depends...we still have ppl in afghanistan...who they gonna send?

 

[Slapstick]

I've been thinking with this whole Syria thing going on. Doing you think that our world is going to dragged into a living hell? That's what it feels like to me ever since I was in High School I've thought to myself "This world is rotting." There's even a part of me that just wants what ever is coming whether it be World War III or something worse to just happen and be over already.

Everything just seems hopeless.

First of all you have a terrible outlook on life and should stop thinking that way. Life is to short for you to wish "the world would end and be over with already." If you think that way you probably have other things going on in your life that need to be addressed and should probably stop thinking about world issues you have no solution for and instead find solutions for yourself instead of everyone else and "the rest of the world."

With all of that being said...

It’s time for other countries to step up and be allies instead of using the same old tactics of bait and switch – not getting involved. There are so many other countries in the world that could actually take a stand and do something, but choose not to. I personally don’t think the U.S. should get involved, but I think it sets precedence for who really cares about mankind and humanity. There are also a lot of Muslim countries that could step in like Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Egypt could too, if wasn’t such a mess. There are also other countries in the area that could do something, but choose not to. The UN is joke and shouldn’t be taken seriously anymore if countries continue to ignore issues and not get involved in helping resolve them. I think if America doesn’t get involved in the Syria conflict, which I hope we don’t, we will never take the UN seriously ever again and the rest of the world can handle their own problems instead of looking to America for assistance and I think that time has already come. It’s time for America to focus on America and let other countries destroy themselves.


But to answer your question: No I don’t see Iran or Syria as being a serious threat and we shouldn't get involved.

 

[desideraht]

Does a war between Syria and the US count as a world war?

No, but China and Russia both said they'd be ****** if we attacked Syria. That is enough to start a world war. Also the United Nations spoke against it.

 

[maninthewilderness]

Well, technically the "war on terror" is a world wide war.
So, we're already there.

But if you mean something like a modern WWII, no, not a chance.

 

[desideraht]

We are absolutely equipped to have a WWIII occur. I think people underestimate how brutal and brainwashed the world's various militaries can be.