Recently, I've been trying to plan for the future as an average citizen, but I'm beginning to find it incredibly difficult to pick a place to travel to in other countries, even just to visit the awesome landmarks that I've always only read about or dreamed of exploring. With so many terrorist attacks all over in places where bombs never used to touch, it's become rather disheartening when every place I pick appears to explode randomly the next day. Since then, I've been refraining from trying to think about where I would like to go next, not that I actually think it stops anything from happening. (... Perhaps I should pick all of the terrorists' headquarters...? oO;; )

I once wanted to take a tour of France and see the Eiffel Tower, but I guess that's out for now until I can bring some IED-proof tanks with me. As for going to any of the Disney theme parks, I'd probably have to carefully plan and choose a few days when we'll be less likely to be gunned down by someone that absolutely hates Mickey Mouse (or capitalism? or the Disney princesses? or diverse populations? ). As for my ancient plans to visit certain places in the Middle East to see the lovely mosques, I scrapped that as a vacation idea long ago due to all of the silent promises of being hit by a bomb even when we go in peace, and now I'm even considering scratching off viewing the Sphinx until I can get an airplane that could fly me right onto the monument (this plan is still in its preliminary stages so many things about it are still subject to change ^^0 ).

As I think about the value of life and the possibilities for the future, I've begun to wonder if we really are already in World War III. At what point should we consider ourselves to be in a global war? Once most of our rights and freedoms have been taken away or we begin to fear taking family vacations to places in other countries, or even in our own? Many have said peace on Earth is impossible and it is inevitable that there will be a Third World War that either gives us more peaceful years for a while or eternal peace for everyone (unless we actually all turn into zombies or get abducted by aliens), and as we know, we only give names to wars after they have already occurred. (As someone once pointed out, no one really receives medals engraved with "World War I" on it, because people never expected there to be another world war after it. One was already bad enough...)

Thus, my question to you is, based on what's been happening in the world, do you think there will be a World War III (if we're not already in it) and if so, when and what do you think might be the cause of it?

My opinion is that if we are already in World War III, it hasn't been "officially" acknowledged yet/printed in the news, so until that happens, I'm just going to think that there is the possibility of a World War III (although probably not as soon as some people think) and for now, the cause of war would probably be either the lack of resources due to overpopulation, or a terrorist group riles up the entire world by doing something so utterly shocking and unbelievably vile that it would make Hitler's massacres pale in comparison. Of course, there is always the possibility that one of the current superpower countries accidentally pokes another one while both of them are too busy walking on eggshells and then one of them randomly combusts, but how would that happen in this day and age~? (No, really... do tell.)

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this matter of life and death (just make sure you don't delve into the kind of graphic details that would get you in trouble with the Forums).

Yeah....I can kind of understand what you mean. Its not really encouging when you want to travel somewhere because you see this and remember whats going on in ever corner of the world. People still do travel while others have stopped for a while since they are afraid too. Its really sad how things are nowadays as in the news there has been terrorist attacks happening being, that the bullet point. I never wondered to the point of it going into world war 3 I mean.....at the rate its going it might happen it might not so I wouldn't want to assume. Even I am in a way afraid to travel because anything can happen in a country, or on planes now that being more of a target. I just hope things can settle soon in the world, but its most likely that will never to happen. And I really like do wonder what will happen in the near future for the people. '-'

Well, it surely is discouraging, but always keep in mind that the chance of a terrorist attack or any kind of incident is bound to happen anytime. There doesn't need to be a reason, and I don't just mean that it's a reason that never made it to the public. It just happens, maybe because someone got mad or psychotic or paranoid or combination of those.

Speaking about World War is a bit exaggerated right now. True is that the menace exists, but we don't get to tanks and infantry as easy as we did back in time, at least over here. We now simply supply the weapons, but our armies stay out of business. And well, we don't declare war that easily anymore either.

It's also true that the most extremist political parties are gaining more and more support thanks to the hatred these attacks are planting on the populace, and people like that could easily engage in a war to get rid of the "enemy". However, those parties can't say anything unless they're given the power to rule, something that is in OUR hands. So, basically, if the populace votes to enter war, we'll be at war.

And well, I should remind you that for a World War to happen countries must ally between themselves, and the political situation in Europe with all those Independence procedures and getting out of the EC we're more disbanded than united. Politicians always mind their own business first, and those who seek getting out of somewhere will not unite with those they want to distance from. 

EX Palen :
Eniitan :
Yuna1000 :

   Their will not be any super power countries going up against each other. All of our countries need what the other ones have so war will be improbable. If anything, with all the recent events going on, Civil war is more likely. I haven't seen this mentioned yet in this thread, but we recently declared war on North Korea this week. Most people get blinded by patriotism and mistaken us declaring war on them. But we declared war on them due to them not being controlled by a central bank. One of the many things the media likes to sweep under the rug.... I don't know if you guys are up to date on that or not. A world war against terrorist is also unlikely due to the size of the terrorist numbers and the few territories they may control. A war on terrorist is more probable than anything. 

Beastmode64 :  
As far as I've seen, neither the US nor North Korea have officially "Declared War" with any one.

All the US has done so far is place sanctions directly on Kim Jong Un, barring him from conducting any business with American citizens ( and North Korea sees this as symbolically "Declaring War" on them ), and all North Korea has done is make threats. If any one had officially declared war, there would be a press conference about it. You can't officially be at war with some one, and not let the population know, at least not in this day and age. If memory serves me correctly, the President has always in one way or another given some form of speech or announcement when we've gone to war for the past 50 + years. I'm not saying it can't happen, but things aren't nearly to that extreme yet from what I've seen. This also isn't the first time North Korea has talked big when the annual joint military operations between the US and South Korea were about to take place.

I'm getting side tracked from the point of the thread lol.

I really don't see an actual World War taking place any time soon. The countries of the world are much too divided for a war of that scale to take place. The only instance I could this happening is if either one country starts a crusade of invasion like Germany did in World War 2, or if an all out war starts to take place and the resulting conflict some how spreads into the countries around them ( and continues to spread, be it adjacently or allies / foes joining in, in some thing of a domino effect ).

I can't see any countries trying to start a huge mission of conquest with the way things are today. I would think they've learned from the past and realize if any one tries some thing along those lines, more countries in the world than not would turn against them. You can only watch so many fall before you know the problem will inevitably come to your door step sooner or later.

As for the domino effect, I really can't see that happening either, though it's much more likely than the former possibility in my opinion. Most countries want nothing to do with war, and only have a military as a means of self defense. What I mean is that unless the problem will effect them directly, most countries would not take the risk of involving themselves in a war that was not their own. On top of this, any country participating in the war will go above and beyond to ensure the other countries who could become involved do not. The last thing you need when fighting a war is to make another enemy.

But these are simply my opinions. I don't hardly follow any form of news or current events through out the world, so what do I know, right? XD

Welp, as this in theory, probably Russia will attack the US (and not China).

Beastmode64 : I know this beast. That's why I didn't confirm just simply putting out there of what I feel towards all these things that are happening. I don't assume I can only let time tell as what can happen, and what would happen. I'm pretty much updated with the news, and all so I know about whats going on. '-'

Well, here's my thoughts on it.

Terrorist attacks are too few and far between to worry about. I mean, we do hear about them every so many weeks or whatever, but. . . it's not that often in comparison to how large the human population is and just how many lives are lost on a global scale. It's bad, but nowhere not as bad as say. . . Nazi Concentration camps or other similar forms of Genocide. Governments ruling their own people have caused more deaths via corruption than terrorists have so far.

Honestly, I'm more worried about our current president. Islam is mostly interested in staying in the Middle East. They want to "purify" their own land before moving into Eurpean territory and the United States. In fact, the Omar Manteen attack in Orlando Florida was at best motivated against the ideology of homosexuality, and also because of the loss of arabian lives to U.S. bombings in the Middle East.

At best these terrorist attacks are little pecks at the foot of a giant. It's nothing compared to what other countries have done, but still bad.

George W Bush said that Islamic Terrorism would be the cause of World War III. Honestly, It wouldn't surprise me. Even if it isn't the direct cause, it could easily become a contributing factor. I do know that Terrorism in the Middle East give the U.S. a convenient excuse to move troops into the Middle East. In all honestly, sometimes I wonder if some of these attacks are just hoaxes. I remember the Sandy Hook shooting and. . . well, when I looked into that one, it was mighty suspicious. I would have to look it up again though to remember all the reasons why. And then fact check it all. . . just ugh.

One thing to remember is that World War II was set up by World War I. Germany was destroyed and the Gemran people wanted a leader who would save them and make Germany a great country again. And Hitler was the man who promised that. He built a military, gave Germany the best technology- even the U.S. was behind for a while! They were on their way to developing the Atomic bomb. We are kindof lucky in a sense. In fact, without the U.S. I wonder how France, Brtian and the others would have faired.

No, I'm not really Worried about World War III. But I won't deny it could happen. Terrorism is mild compared to what happened before World War II, but it has the potential to contribute. That's all I have to say really. I'm more worried about our next election ATM. If it even means anything. Just. . . ugh.

Yuna1000 : unfortunately war has always been a problem in some parts of the world because certain countries just can,t seem to get along for whatever reason and these days it seems like there are places that are unsafe because of it that and the fact that we have the terrorists and ISIS going around planting bombs and killing more innocent people just like what,s happening in the war torn countries and if it,s not war we hear about it,s crime like the horrible shootings that have been happening recently,but despite all these bad things I feel that there are still plenty of good people in the world like myself who would never resort to crime and that fortunately there are still safe places in the world to live in and travel to and because of that I don,t feel that a world war 3 has started or is about to start,while I feel it,s important not to go through life pretending that everything is o.k.  I also feel that we should not go through life walking on eggshells living in fear since that is probably what the criminals,terrorists and ISIS would like us all to do

Yuna1000 : The toughest thing in the world is to understand there is a potential for danger and to go do the things that important to you anyway. Sure, you could get blown up visiting a historical location.

You could also get hit by a truck and killed while walking to school or work tomorrow. Or a freak accident, like lightning, could happen and you never even tried to see anything.

I'm older, I'm in my 30s, and I've seen a lot of the unfriendly parts of the world since I was in the U.S. Marine Corps for six years. It's not a great place out there and people don't often get along.

But if you sit at home and think, "Wow, I wish I went," you're failing yourself and you're not really living life.

Don't plan for terrorist attacks. Don't plan for bombs. Go and see things, do things, experience life. If you let the really scary things stop you, soon you'll develop a habit of letting the not so scary things stop you. Eventually you end up in your house and afraid to do anything and that's when life ends.

We all die. On a long enough time line, everyone who does everything right and stays safe and is cautious will die and that's that. So the question you need to ask yourself is, "What risks can I take where I get to experience the world but I'm relatively safe?" It's all relative.

Would I take a vacation to Venezuela? No. Disneyworld? Sure.


And is this World War III? Not yet. It's too unofficial and you have uniformed militaries fighting civilian and non-uniformed guerilla units and combat teams. For me, World War III counts when you have organized professional armies going at it with each other. It may happen if India and China go after each other, or North Korea decides to make some noise, or Russia continues to be provocative and pokes a fight with a mix of the Chinese, the Turks, the Indians, etc.

War is an extension of politics and we'll always have politics. There will always be violence out there. Just make sure you're safe enough you can enjoy all the special things in the world.

I feel like mynamescox44 somewhat hit the nail on the head, any country that tries to go on a conquest would likely be dealt with by other countries before long. Today we also have organizations like NATO, UN  and the EU that kind of acts as safeguards for any war happening. Which hasn't really existed in the same way when WW1 and WW2 happened.

Aside from that I think a lot of the commonly described scenarios are very unlikely to happen. Russia is not going to attack the US because it's simply a stupid move of them to make. Most western countries, not just the US already fear them, and a war would mean not just having the US against them but pretty much most other major powers as well like Japan, China, most of Western Europe etc. Even if the US was on its own, Russia has become a shadow of its former self since the division of the Soviet Union. Back in the Cold War days it could've been a more real concern, now they'd likely be easily defeated were they to try anything and Putin/Russian government very likely realize that.

North Korea is not going to be able to start a world war as they'd have no allies. I doubt any country would be willing to ally with them as that would mean becoming enemies not just with the US but a bunch of other countries particularly in Asia like South Korea.

Despite their efforts to keep up appearances their population seems to be barely holding on as it is- I don't think even Kim Jong Un would risk a war as it could risk a collapse of the country and likely cause widespread resistance among the population risking a civil war while fighting an external war. One that they wouldn't be able to deal with because of that. Even if he has a sort of deity status there is a limit to how much the population would take.

On top of that their  military technology really isn't advanced enough to where they'd be able to pose much of a threat to any nearby countries anyway. It's a case of the bark being much bigger than the bite.

As for IS, well they're already on their way to being defeated. To actually cause a world war they'd have to gain the support of a bunch of countries but right now there's pretty much no country that doesn't want them to be stopped.

If an actual third world war were to happen I think it would take a long time. Maybe once we really start to see the effects various environmental problems and natural resources start to become extremely scarce. Then some countries might start feeling that there's no other options than going to war for them.

Yuna1000 : I'm going to have to agree with what ghostbear said. We're all going to die some day and there are so many ways you could you could die even when trying to be safe. You could be hit by a car, you could suffer a heart attack and you're far, far more likely to be killed by a domestic grown terrorist than you are by anyone associated with ISIS.

We don't know if we ever get another chance at life so it's best to live life to your fullest and try to experience everything you want to experience while you can. Yes, going to a country that's politically unstable and close to war like Irag might not be worth the risk but an industrialized and generally safe country like France seems like it is. Especially if it's been a dream of yours to go there. You're far more likely to be hit by a car while remaining in the US and die that way than you are to be involved in anything like the terrorist shootings that have happened there.

Sword legion : I think the US's part in helping secure an allied forces win is a bit overblown. The country that played the single biggest role in the allies victory was The Soviet Union. They did most of the heavy lifting during the war. By the time the US really started sending troops an allied forces win was already more or less secured. The aid Great Britain received through the lend-lease act was the main way the US really played a part in the war as it is largely what allowed Great Britain to hold on and the war to be ended as early as 1945. Sure, The Soviet Union received aid as well but the only significant thing they received were military trucks. Without them they would've still likely won, it could've just meant that Nazi Germany might've been able to at least survive to some degree in stead of being completely destroyed as they'd have more time to brace themselves. The Lend and Lease act happened before the US officially entered the war though so one might as well also not factor it in.

If one assumes that the US stayed completely out of the war though, Germany might've taken Great Britain and the war could've gone on longer but I find it extremely hard to believe that they'd have been able to defeat the Soviet Union regardless. They were more or less already on their way to defeat Germany before the military involvement of Great Britain and the US or they received the aid. Heck, even if Pearl Harbor didn't happen and the US didn't enter a war with Japan, they could've likely fought off the Japanese as well on their own since Japanese military technology was far behind that of the European powers.

All that said, it would of course likely meant a much more communist Europe, and the time following the war would've played out a lot differently because of that.