NationStates Jolt Archive

What will start it?

just a few choices in the poll, feel free to say your own withen the thread

I just hope that I have a hand in starting it.

Some Danish cartoonists will...

Some Danish cartoonists will...

Boom-boom!

Oh, Kimchi. How could you? :p

We can already see a major conflict developing (and that has been for quite some time) between Israel and the arbic states of the middle east. So yeah its definately in the middle east.

Boom-boom!

Oh, Kimchi. How could you? :p

Take my wife, please...

I'll be here all week...

Most likely candidates are the Middle East and China. However, the Middle East covers several nations that are potential flashpoints (Israel, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, etc) while China is just one nation. Hence, ME is more likely.


If I had to put money on it, I'd wager that Israel will strike Iran in the next few months in an attempt to set their nuclear program back a couple years. This will most likely be done with, at the very least, back door assent from the US. Successful or not, this will probably go a long way toward consolidating Arab resentment of Israel and the US.

What happens then is very tough to call. Will Iran complain about it, but not act...basically what Iraq did whan Israel preempted them at Osarik (sp)? Or will Iran undertake limited military action (missiles)? Or will they respond with all out war?

If it's all out war, then the other nations in the region must decide where they align themselves. Pakistan could easily fall into civil war in these circumstances if they continue to "cooperate" with America. The Saudis may be able to get away with neutrality (which would require significant American diplomacy), but that is not assured. Syria would probably join in an attack. Egypt and Jordan may fall into civil war, if they don't actively support a Muslim alliance.

The Israelis, IMO, would basically kick the crap out of any organized military force the Muslims would put together. Once that defeat is seen as inevitable (by the Muslims) comes the big questionmark - do they use WMDs? The Iranians have used them before (against Iraq, though Iraq used them first). If so, the Israelis have little choice but to go nuclear. At that point, all hell breaks loose.

The EU, which is an unholy alliance between France and non-France, resulting in a seemingly peaceful ticking timebomb.;)

I put my oney on EU, why? Because once the EU has figured whether out all its stuff..it is gonna be powerful, hungry, and ready to show off its new skills. This is going to cause some dangerous politics, no? Now, it would probably be the EU and ME mixing it up that starts WW3, but I definitely think the EU is it.

I don't know, I don't think there's the possibility of WW3 anytime soon unless something huge happens very soon. In both World War 1 and 2 there were circumstances which lead to it being a world war. In WW1 there was the system of alliances which pulled most of Europe, and the rest of the world which was part of the British Empire, into a large scale conflict, in which the two sides were reasonably even. In WW2 there was a very powerful and aggressive Germany/Austria, with support from Italy and a bizzarre almost-alliance with the USSR, balanced against Britain, France, and later the USA (and the USSR, those crazy ruskies!). I can't see a similar balance emerging today. The only possibility of an Alliance is a possible Muslim coalition against Israel, but that would almost certainly bring them into conflict with America, and the rest of the west, which I can't see happening. North Korea's probably the most dangerous. For all the noise Iran's making, they don't have nuclear weapons, whereas North Korea definately does, has a huge army, and happens to be run by a mad man, so it's the most unpredictable. But since their policy seems to be towards total isolation, I doubt anything'll happen to provoke them to war. Anyway, thems my thoughts, though I'm hardly an expert.

I'd like to point out that the far east is a boiling pot of ethnic hostilities and national conflicts. There's a terrifying amount of potential national conflict in the region. The South Koreans don't like the Chinese, the Chinese despise the Japanese, the Vietnamese and Chinese hate each other with a passion and the North Koreans are batshit insane.

Not only that, but the People's Republic of China (Mainland) and the Republic of China (Taiwan) are constantly at odds over the possibility of Taiwanese independence, and Taiwan has security guarantees from the United States.

Not only that, the Koreans are always at a risk of going at it, a risk that is increasingly heightened as Kim Jong-Il gets closer to personal possession of a nuclear weapon, and his nation becomes increasingly more impoverished. And the US also has security guarantees to the ROK's, and the possibility that the PRC could come to the aid of the DPRK in the event of US intervention on the peninsula is also a very real and terrifying possibility.

At the same time, territorial disputes persist over all sorts of factors between the PRC and Japan. Espescially regarding certain islands and fishing rights. A bit too much aggression on either side to quite possibly precipitate a naval war between the two states

For all their problems with the US, these problems pale in comparison to those the Vietnamese have with the Chinese. Ancient ethnic antagonisms still have strong motivational factors in the region, and could lead to big problems.

We also cannot forget the wounded bear that is still camped out in the corner up there. Russia, while not quite the power that the Soviet Union once was, is still quite a threat, and a newly nationalist russia could spell trouble for the entire region. Either that, or a resource hungry PRC could drive north into Siberia to go for their gold and oil. And with the increasing incapability of the Russian conventional military, the Russian leadership might find itself feeling backed into a corner and left with only one option...*shudders*

And of course we cannot remember that the US has various in close military positions as well. We still maintain an airfield capable of flying nuclear weapons equipped B-52's on Guam as well as other military facilities, such as our possessions in the Northern Marianas, bases in Japan and various other countries.

It's really a dangerous place.

The EU, which is an unholy alliance between France and non-France, resulting in a seemingly peaceful ticking timebomb.;)

Great! Think of all the great naval battles we can have then! World War 3 is going to kick ass!

I don't know, I don't think there's the possibility of WW3 anytime soon unless something huge happens very soon. In both World War 1 and 2 there were circumstances which lead to it being a world war. In WW1 there was the system of alliances which pulled most of Europe, and the rest of the world which was part of the British Empire, into a large scale conflict, in which the two sides were reasonably even. In WW2 there was a very powerful and aggressive Germany/Austria, with support from Italy and a bizzarre almost-alliance with the USSR, balanced against Britain, France, and later the USA (and the USSR, those crazy ruskies!). I can't see a similar balance emerging today. The only possibility of an Alliance is a possible Muslim coalition against Israel, but that would almost certainly bring them into conflict with America, and the rest of the west, which I can't see happening. North Korea's probably the most dangerous. For all the noise Iran's making, they don't have nuclear weapons, whereas North Korea definately does, has a huge army, and happens to be run by a mad man, so it's the most unpredictable. But since their policy seems to be towards total isolation, I doubt anything'll happen to provoke them to war. Anyway, thems my thoughts, though I'm hardly an expert.

Has a huge crappy army you mean.

Has a huge crappy army you mean.
Indeed, the average NK tank is the T-55, a vehicle which is outclassed by the previous US tank, the M-60. Not to even mention the M-1. Their soldiers have very limited food supply rations, and the vast bulk of the NK soldiers are two-year conscripts of national guardsmen.

But it's still huge.

Indeed, the average NK tank is the T-55, a vehicle which is outclassed by the previous US tank, the M-60. Not to even mention the M-1. Their soldiers have very limited food supply rations, and the vast bulk of the NK soldiers are two-year conscripts of national guardsmen.

But it's still huge.

The Air Force will have a field day.

America or the E.U will :)
Vote communists!

There wont be any WWIII. The US will acculturate most of the worlds nations. Then Japan will acculturate us and finish the job where we left off. The world will then be at peace as we all become hypnotized by tentacle porn while eating Pocky.

i think it will actually be a combination between many conflicts that rise together and create mass chaos for many countries

It's been too long since I've seen the last WW3 thread. I was worried that NS what gonna talk about something new.

It's been too long since I've seen the last WW3 thread. I was worried that NS what gonna talk about something new.
That wont happen again for a few more years...but people will still be using the same basic arguments though. Whether or not you consider that to be something new is entirely up to you.

It will start....hmm.....in my pants!!! East vs. West! Left Nut vs. Right Nut

technically it won't be a "world war" unless all the countries form alliances against eachoter, like NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the cold war.

and why is germany up there?

Pats self on back for being first to think of this.


Chuck Norris!

Pats self on back for being first to think of this.


Chuck Norris!
There'd be no war, just a single battle and lots of dead bodies.

Pats self on back for being first to think of this.


Chuck Norris!
Chuck Norris doesn't start wars. He solves them. Single-handedly (Literally. He smack everyone while using his other hand to trim his beard with a samurai sword)

Bill Shatner will kill us all.

Luxembourg will do it, just like they started WWII.
What? You don't believe me? Those tricky bastards started WWII as an attempt to weaken their neighbours (France and Germany) who were both established as a way to surround Luxembourg and keep the Grand Duchy at bay.
However, their plan to have the Axis and Allies devestate each other failed because their military (consisting of five fat guys all named Carl) went on picnic with the national armory (two hunting rifles and a slingshot) when they were supposed to launch a tactical strike that would have crippled both France and Germany, and forced both nations to their knees.
The Luxembourgouis (as they term themselves) still mourn at the honor lost on this day, and regulalry burn effigies of their former army on All Carls Day, the anniversary of when all the Carls wandered away.
That said, they will strike again, and this time, they have learned from their failure (all picnic baskets are to be requisitioned in time of war and filled with dog poo) and they will not fail.

USA, Israel, Iran, China, or Russia. I voted USA though.

Bill Shatner will kill us all.

Before getting a swift round-house kick to the pelvis by Chuck Norris!

As for World War III, those diabolical bastards in DirkaDirkastan will probably start the whole thing with their funny language and little cars.

technically it won't be a "world war" unless all the countries form alliances against eachoter, like NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the cold war.

and why is germany up there?

very true

but as for germany, im not sure if you study much history but germany has played a huge part in the previous 2 world wars.

and there is also a group of people out there conspiring or whatever you want to call it, saying Germany is to play a big part in the 3rd world war when it happens, and some go as far as to say it will lead to the end times.

my personal beliefs on it, thats just crazy talk