As the current geopolitical climate is ever changing, it is important to recognize that the previous world wars did not emerge overnight but rather as a result of a series of impactful historical events. Some political scientists even claim that World War III is developing right in front of our eyes. Amidst an international landscape of global tensions and regional conflicts, we inch closer and closer to the pre-world-war circumstances of the Twentieth Century, and closer and closer to World War III.

   Wars are predominantly sparked by conflicting ideologies. Since the conclusion of WWII, the unresolved tensions between the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), now known as the Russian Federation, and the United States of America have long garnered fear of nuclear conflict. The tensions culminated during the Cold War, resulting in a multitude of proxy wars across the globe; however, these conflicts never spilled over onto a truly global scale.

   The tensions have never truly vanished, and are still a key aspect of the threat of worldwide warfare. The tensions have worsened following the annexation of Crimea, and the eventual invasion of Ukraine, by the Russian military. While there have been calls for global support and the defense of Ukraine, help has been limited in fear of antagonizing the Kremlin.

   President Donald Trump has maintained a volatile relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has spoken against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Recently, in a meeting with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, President Donald Trump said, “I have no message to President Putin. He knows where I stand. He’ll make a decision one way or the other…. If we’re unhappy about it, you’ll see things happen” (npr.org). While this is an intentionally vague statement, it only leaves the world to wonder what type of response the United States, or other nations for that matter, will have for Russia if the war with Ukraine continues.

    According to CNN, European leaders are warning their citizens about the possibility of war. One CNN reporter said, “It comes as European leaders fear that Russian President Vladimir Putin, emboldened by gains in Ukraine, could try to push further into the continent, while Europe’s longtime and powerful ally, the United States, adopts a more hostile stance to maintaining European security, raising doubts over how far it would be willing to intervene should a NATO country be invaded” (CNN.com). On September 1, 1939, the German military invaded Poland; this would eventually be recognized as the first day of WWII. There is a real possibility that February 24, 2022, the day that Russia invaded Ukraine, will eventually be known as the start of WWIII.

   There are ongoing tensions, lasting from the 1950s, between China and Taiwan. According to the BBC, these tensions stem from the decades-long civil war between the Nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek and the Communists under Mao Zedong. When the Communist Party took control of mainland China, The leaders of the Nationalist Party eventually fled to Taiwan, establishing a government. Taiwan has maintained their self governance while China maintains that they will eventually take Taiwan under Beijing’s control (bbc.com).

   The People’s Republic of China (PRC) remains adamant that a peaceful unification of China is their current plan; however, they have not shied away from the possibility of using military force.  According to NPR, “China has repeatedly said it could invade Taiwan, which it claims as part of its territory” (npr.org).

   While the United States is not one of the 12 sovereign nations that has full diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it remains the island’s largest political supporter. These ties have been, and still are, the most sensitive issue in the ever-changing relationship between the United States and the PRC. According to the United States Congress website, “PRC leaders have warned their U.S. counterparts that Taiwan is ‘the first red line that cannot be crossed’ in U.S.-China relations” (congress.gov). If a forceful unification of China is set in motion, the United States will be put in the difficult position of determining whether or not to continue its support of Taiwan. Crossing the line could result in a global conflict like never before seen.    

   World War Three means the threat of Nuclear War. Last month, CNN reported, “North Korea has a secret, previously unreported missile base near its northern border with China, which could pose a ‘potential nuclear threat’ to much of East Asia and the United States” (CNN.com). The reality of the potential destruction is alarming.

   Mutually assured destruction undoubtedly will unfold if nuclear threats and sheer carelessness from political leaders steers the direction of the war. Amidst the conflicts between political leaders are millions of concerned citizens who are afraid that the coming months will bring undying instability and chaos.