Poll-World War III
- Thread starter NeoHitler
- Start date
skadistic
Caomhanach
MAD doesn't work with people who blow them selves up and think they will go to heaven and get 72 virgins anyway.
Gogf
Indescribable
Well, I can easily see Israel fighting a war with the Arab powers, but I can't see that turning into a "world war." I can also see us fighting Al Qaeda (we already are), but that's not a world war in the traditional sense of the term. A war with Germany is not going to happen any time in the next century. Out of your options, that leaves open the possibility of war with an "Asian nuclear power." I can see us fighting a war against North Korea, who I guess qualify as a nuclear power, but that can hardly be considered a world war.
The closest we're going to get, I think, is with China. But I don't really see us fighting a major war against them either. With both countries in the hand of comparatively rational leadership, the mutually assured destruction brought upon by nuclear weapons should keep most armed conflict in check. We might see another cold war or a funding of enemies (possibly including terrorists), but I don't think a full scale war against China is in our future. That doesn't mean that it's totally out of the question or that we shouldn't be prepared, but it doesn't sound very likely to me.
I also wonder whether a United States war against China could really be called a world war. The two world wars of the twentieth century were called "world wars" not just because they were huge and destroyed entire regions, but because they proliferated around the world. Unless China can bring together a credible axis of allies somewhere other than their immediate vacinity, the war against China will remain a largely local conflict. Other nations may enter on our side, but that wouldn't be any more of a world war than the first Gulf War was.
I think this is a much more real possibility. China knows that they can't win a war against us, but that won't stop them from picking a fight to gain regional power.
The closest we're going to get, I think, is with China. But I don't really see us fighting a major war against them either. With both countries in the hand of comparatively rational leadership, the mutually assured destruction brought upon by nuclear weapons should keep most armed conflict in check. We might see another cold war or a funding of enemies (possibly including terrorists), but I don't think a full scale war against China is in our future. That doesn't mean that it's totally out of the question or that we shouldn't be prepared, but it doesn't sound very likely to me.
I also wonder whether a United States war against China could really be called a world war. The two world wars of the twentieth century were called "world wars" not just because they were huge and destroyed entire regions, but because they proliferated around the world. Unless China can bring together a credible axis of allies somewhere other than their immediate vacinity, the war against China will remain a largely local conflict. Other nations may enter on our side, but that wouldn't be any more of a world war than the first Gulf War was.
I think this is a much more real possibility. China knows that they can't win a war against us, but that won't stop them from picking a fight to gain regional power.
Heretic_Cata
We're gonna live forever
The USA will start. Just the USA. 
Heretic_Cata
We're gonna live forever
Somewhere in SE Europe i reckon.
Chandrasekhar
Determined
Democrats and Republicans.
Margim
Footy's back.
This is not a legitimate poll. There is no Giant Radioactive Monkey v Godzilla option.
Disgustipated
Deity
I just can't see it happening. Not to say it won't happen. People said WW1 wouldn't happen, as it would ruin economies to go to war.
China has too many economic interests to go to war with the U.S. But their military buildup is troubling. What do they need it for. I think it's for mainly prestige so they can be classified as a superpower. They may attack Taiwan. And I think the U.S. may let them take it (depending on who the president is). 10 years ago we wouldn't have done it. But there are too many business interests in China. It would be disasterous for both countries.
North Korea is a strong possibility. But unlike 1950, I see China and Russia staying out of this one. They will go down in flames.
Southeast Asia- unlikely. maybe some minor terrorist skirmishes
Middle East- we all know this is a powderkeg waiting to go up. I don't think it'd take much for us to get involved with a war with Iran. Sure Russia has ties with them, but Russia would never enter into a war siding with Iran. Other middle east nations are wise enough to realize they can make more money and be more successful doing legitimate business. Though the possibility does exist of another alliance against Israel. The U.S. would not defend Israel any more than it has in the past. Perhaps even less so.
Germany: can't see them being a problem for at least 30 years. Even then, I think the leftist ideology is firmly entrenched. Nationalists will still be a problem, but I can't see them gaining control and convincing the population to back a war.
India and Pakistan? perhaps this could escalate. But I doubt it. The U.S. would sit that one out.
Al Quada? Perhaps if they gain access to multiple nukes (one won't be enough). If they nuke New York and Washington, we could launch full scale assaults on muslim/arabic cities. But who would come to their aid?
Europe: given the political climate, I don't see it happening. I actually see Europe having a lot of internal struggles due to immigration. I see their power declining. I also see american power declining for similar reasons, for that matter.
Canada? perhaps if they expose us to more of their entertainment.
South America or Africa? No one cares enough about these continents to care. Though the U.S. would defend if someone attacked and try to conquer S. america. But who would do that?
The most likely scenario is space alien invasion.
China has too many economic interests to go to war with the U.S. But their military buildup is troubling. What do they need it for. I think it's for mainly prestige so they can be classified as a superpower. They may attack Taiwan. And I think the U.S. may let them take it (depending on who the president is). 10 years ago we wouldn't have done it. But there are too many business interests in China. It would be disasterous for both countries.
North Korea is a strong possibility. But unlike 1950, I see China and Russia staying out of this one. They will go down in flames.
Southeast Asia- unlikely. maybe some minor terrorist skirmishes
Middle East- we all know this is a powderkeg waiting to go up. I don't think it'd take much for us to get involved with a war with Iran. Sure Russia has ties with them, but Russia would never enter into a war siding with Iran. Other middle east nations are wise enough to realize they can make more money and be more successful doing legitimate business. Though the possibility does exist of another alliance against Israel. The U.S. would not defend Israel any more than it has in the past. Perhaps even less so.
Germany: can't see them being a problem for at least 30 years. Even then, I think the leftist ideology is firmly entrenched. Nationalists will still be a problem, but I can't see them gaining control and convincing the population to back a war.
India and Pakistan? perhaps this could escalate. But I doubt it. The U.S. would sit that one out.
Al Quada? Perhaps if they gain access to multiple nukes (one won't be enough). If they nuke New York and Washington, we could launch full scale assaults on muslim/arabic cities. But who would come to their aid?
Europe: given the political climate, I don't see it happening. I actually see Europe having a lot of internal struggles due to immigration. I see their power declining. I also see american power declining for similar reasons, for that matter.
Canada? perhaps if they expose us to more of their entertainment.
South America or Africa? No one cares enough about these continents to care. Though the U.S. would defend if someone attacked and try to conquer S. america. But who would do that?
The most likely scenario is space alien invasion.
Why do you assume that a world war must involve nuclear weapons? World war does not equal unrestricted war; it just means that a significant number of the world's nations are involved in the conflict. In fact, it would be my guess that WWIII would be much like WWII: a lot of death and destruction, but it will all be caused by conventional weapons.
Heretic_Cata
We're gonna live forever
Ah, that would explain the results. I was wondering why the hell are people voting that.
thetrooper
Misanthrope
- Joined
- May 24, 2004
- Messages
- 9,086
It will start because of some damned silly thing in the Balkans.
Spoiler :
Heretic_Cata
We're gonna live forever
Mr Bismark of course. I was reffering to him in my post too.
thetrooper
Misanthrope
- Joined
- May 24, 2004
- Messages
- 9,086
and 
and 5 p to you!
Fugitive Sisyphus
Escape Artist
The mentality that any potential war will equal WWIII explains much about our world.
Panda
Metal head
A US versus Asian country war will spiral out of control and turn into WWIII.
Mirc
Not mIRC!!!
amadeus
Bishop of Bio-Dome
The last two wouldn't have been possible without them.Germany?
The last two wouldn't have been possible without them.
The first two were started by Austrians, Germany was simply the best war-machine for the job.
