World War III is upon us. The worsening situation in Ukraine, numerous conflicts in the Middle East and increasing tensions in East Asia are harbingers of a global conflict, or its first stage.
“The world is entering an era of global confrontation. The violence occurring today shows that we are no longer dealing with individual conflicts that can be resolved one by one. This is the only attempt to destroy the international order, and we must do everything possible to prevent it,” said Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, commenting on the recent transfer of North Korean troops to the Russian-Ukrainian front.
The publication notes that ten years ago, countries such as Russia and China, together with the United States and the European Union, imposed sanctions against Iran and North Korea. However, now, unlike at that time, thes countries have united in an alliance of autocracies that are actively acting against the Western world.
The turning point, according to the authors of the article, was 2014, when the West did not properly respond to the annexation of Crimea by Russia and the occupation of part of Donbass. Already in 2015, Russia and Iran began jointly supporting the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 finally formed the alliance between Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and pyongyang, where Russia receives military and economic assistance from its partners to continue its aggression against ukraine.The indifference or inability of the West to prevent this alliance only served to strengthen it.
“Competition between great powers is accelerating and dividing the world. We are probably on the verge of World War III. We now have the consequences of Russia’s war with Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, and Syria is just another element of the big game. We need to be very careful, to prevent this from turning into a big disaster,” warned Wang Huiyao, president of a think tank in Beijing.
The WSJ emphasizes that major taboos that have existed as the Cold War have recently been broken. For example, American ATACMS missiles are now being used by Ukrainian forces to strike Russian territory.
Since 2022, Russia has been actively using nuclear blackmail tactics in an attempt to intimidate the United States and its allies into stopping their support for Ukraine.Simultaneously occurring, Russian agencies are waging a campaign of violence across Europe, targeting military and industrial targets at an unprecedented level.
senator james Risch acknowledged that while we cannot yet call the current situation a world war, it does constitute a “proxy war” – a conflict through proxies.
According to the publication, the main driving forces of global confrontation are the ambitions of Russia and China. These countries are seeking to restore their former imperial glory and expand their spheres of influence. First and foremost, they seek to regain control of Ukraine and Taiwan, which pose a serious threat to the international order.
While autocracies are actively working together, the West appears to be on the verge of splitting. Donald Trump,the winner of the presidential election,has already announced a course for economic and political self-isolation of the United States.
“Today, autocracies seem to be more united than democracies. We are facing a struggle between these two camps, and the autocracies are now winning,” said General Onno Eichelsheim, head of defense of the Netherlands.
The West, according to experts, underestimated the strength and strategic role of the alliance between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Previously, such underestimation could lead to catastrophic consequences, as was the case with the fascist powers in World war II.
“We may have underestimated the scale of this new alliance and its strategic importance to us. we were trapped as we viewed each country in isolation, without seeing their interconnectedness and common purpose,” said Australian intelligence chief Andrew Shearer.
Today, the United States no longer has the industrial power it had in the past. America can no longer provide Ukraine and Israel with the necessary means, even though the scale of these conflicts is relatively limited. according to a report by the National Defense Strategy Commission,China already outpaces the United States in military production,and America’s defense industrial base cannot meet the needs of both the United States and its allies.
Analysts have calculated that the defeat of Ukraine could cost the West several times more than the current support for Kyiv. If Russia wins, the West will be forced to spend $808 billion more on defense over the next five years than the current budget.
Let us recall that “Cursor” wrote that the DPRK military is involved in assault operations on the territory of the Kursk region,in particular,as part of mixed units of the Marine Corps and the Russian Airborne Forces.
– How can the West effectively respond to the emerging alliance between authoritarian regimes?
Title: Bridging Tensions: Is World War III Inevitable? An Interview wiht Geopolitical Expert Dr. Sarah Kling
Editor (Time.news): Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Kling. The article discussing the potential for World War III raises some alarming concerns.From your perspective, based on the developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, how notable are these events in the context of global confrontation?
Dr. Sarah Kling: Thank you for having me.The situation is indeed alarming. The escalating tensions in Ukraine, the complex web of conflicts in the Middle East, and the increasingly aggressive posture of east Asian nations are all indicative of a broader struggle for power and dominance. We are not simply witnessing separate geopolitical issues; rather, these conflicts are interlinked and symbolize a shift towards global confrontation.
Editor: Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky pointed out that this is not just about individual conflicts. Can you elaborate on what he means by the “attempt to destroy the international order”?
Dr. Kling: Absolutely. His statement encapsulates the essence of the issue. We are in a time where authoritarian regimes are banding together, challenging the foundations of the international order established post-World War II, which prioritized diplomacy and conflict resolution. The recent collaboration between countries like Russia and North Korea signifies a intentional shift toward a multipolar world where customary alliances—particularly Western ones—are being undermined.
Editor: You mentioned the alliance forming between Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang.What do you think is driving this coalition?
Dr. Kling: A convergence of interests primarily drives this coalition. These nations feel threatened by Western policies and are looking for ways to counterbalance what they perceive as Western hegemony.We saw a turning point back in 2014 when the Western response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea was widely criticized as lackluster. This has emboldened authoritarian regimes to act together more openly than before, and it feeds into their narrative that they can operate outside the traditional Western-imposed constraints.
editor: The article highlights the 2015 military collaboration of Russia and Iran in support of Bashar al-assad. How has this military cooperation evolved into the current situation?
Dr. Kling: The Russia-Iran partnership in Syria established a precedent for military and strategic cooperation. This alliance has expanded and solidified in the face of Western sanctions and military aid, primarily due to a mutual interest in undermining Western influence in the region. As we observe the conflict in Ukraine, this alliance not only persists but has perhaps even strengthened as Russia has increasingly relied on support from these allies to sustain its military operations.
Editor: Given this situation, what do you believe the West can do to counteract this unification of autocratic states? Is there a path forward?
Dr. Kling: There is certainly a path forward, although it requires a concerted effort and strategic re-evaluation by Western nations. First, there needs to be a unified response to these growing threats, which may include recalibration of sanctions, enhanced military aid to Ukraine, and deeper diplomatic engagement with countries in the Middle East and Asia.Building a stronger coalition of democracies that transcends regional boundaries and encompasses Western powers alongside nations in Asia and Africa can also help in countering this autocratic alliance.
Editor: do you believe we are on the path to World War III, or is this a necessary recalibration in geopolitical relations that could lead to something more constructive?
Dr. Kling: while it is difficult to predict the future, the warning signs suggest that unless there is significant intervention and realignment of global strategies, we may indeed be heading towards a major confrontation. Though, history has shown us that crises can also lead to stronger coalitions and negotiations that reinforce peace. It all hinges on how effectively global leaders can adapt to these challenges and whether they can foster dialog over confrontation.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kling, for your insights. It’s essential to remain vigilant and informed about these evolving dynamics on the world stage.
Dr. Kling: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time, and dialogue like this is vital for understanding and addressing these complex issues.